| abstract |
Racemic mixtures of partially water-soluble esters defined by the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R 1 represent hydrogen and C 1 -C 4 alkyl; n R 2 represents C 1 -C 4 alkyl and n X represents halogen, aliphatic or aromatic groups and substituted derivatives thereof wherein R, R 1 and X are different n can be resolved by reducing the water solubility of a racemic mixture of said esters by means other than changing the chemical composition of the ester, contacting the racemic mixture of esters of reduced water solubility with a lipase enzyme from Candida cylindracea capable of stereospecifically resolving the racemic mixture of hydrolysis and stereospecifically resolving the racemic mixture. |