Enzymatic Aminolysis and Ammonolysis Processes in the Preparation of Chiral Nitrogenated Compounds

Enzymes are widely recognized as valuable tools for the synthesis of optically active compounds. Thus, lipasecatalysed acylation or deacylation are one of the most efficient methods for the preparation of optically active alcohols, acids and esters. In addition, other nitrogenated organic compounds can also be prepared through enzymatic aminolysis or ammonolysis reactions. Amines and their derived amides are important compounds in organic synthesis, because of the presence of theses functions in many pharmacologically active compounds. On the other hand, enantiopure amines are used in the fine chemical industry as resolving agents, chiral auxiliaries and their preparation by enzymatic acylation of amines is nowadays a well established methodology. In addition, in the last few years, many companies, especially from the pharmaceutical industry, use enzymatic aminolysis and ammonolysis processes for the preparation of enantiopure amines in a multigram scale.