Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Chiral Building Blocks Based on the Kinetic Resolution of Glycerol‐Derived Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract The biocatalytic kinetic resolution of cyclic carbonates derived from glycerol is reported. A selection 26 esterases and lipases was tested for the asymmetric hydrolysis model substrate (epichlorohydrin carbonate) in aqueous medium. Among them, Pig Liver Esterase Novozym® 435 showed best selectivity with E =38 49, respectively. Both enzymes were employed conversion 12 derivatives under optimized conditions. halogenated afforded unconverted enantiomer up to >99 : 1 er . Furthermore, successfully recycled 10 times without significant loss activity. Upscaling isolation chiral carbonate also demonstrated. Subsequent this building block allowed direct one‐pot synthesis ( S )‐Guaifenesin, )‐Mephenesin )‐Chlorphenesin 89 % yield 94 6