Pig Liver Esterase Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Dimethyl and Diethyl 2- Methyl-2-(o-nitrophenoxy)malonates.

Abstract Pig liver esterase (PLE) catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl and diethyl 2-methyl-2-(o-nitrophenoxy)malonates affords (R)-monoethyl/monomethyl 2-methyl-2-(o-nitrophenoxy)malonates in moderate to good enantiomeric excesses (69–81 %). These data indicate that the nitro group may be accommodated in the large hydrophobic pocket of the Jones active-site model of PLE.