| abstract |
A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): <IMAGE> (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydroxy, mercapto radical, a substituted or unsubstituted methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, methyl thio, or ethylthio radical, a carbamoyloxy, carbamoylthio, C1-6 alkanoyloxy, C1-6 alkanoylthio, cyano, carboxy or carbamoyl radical; and R2 represents an acyl group which comprises hydrolysis of a compound of formula (II): <IMAGE> (II) wherein R1 and R2 are as defined with respect to formula (I) hereinbefore and R3 represents benzyl or substituted benzyl; wherein the hydrolysis is catalyzed by a microbial serine proteinase. |