| abstract |
In a process for preparing predominantly one enantiomer of an optically-active 2-arylalkanoic acid by biotransformation, using an appropriate enzyme, of a mixture of enantiomers of an ester of the acid, the ester is derived from an alcohol of more than 4 carbon atoms, and the enzyme is in crude or only partially purified form. For example, S-ketoprofen can be thus prepared economically and in high ee, from racemic octyl ketoprofen. |