Enzymatic approach to both enantiomers of N-Boc hydrophobic amino acids

Abstract Protease catalysed hydrolysis of N -Boc-amino acid esters allows us to obtain N -Boc l -acids and d -esters of amino butanoic acid, nor-leucine, nor-valine, leucine and t-leucine in excellent ee. The reaction occurs in short reaction times and high concentrations. When a biphasic system (buffer–MTBE) is employed, a strong solvent effect is observed. This method could be of significance for the preparation of d -t-leucine, for which a practical method is currently unavailable.