Patent ID: 6162621
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: C12P

Abstract:
A process for producing N-substituted azetidine-2-carboxylic acid of the formula I: ##STR6## wherein R.sup.1 denotes an aralkyl group of an arylated lower alkoxycarbonyl group and * designates an asymmetric carbon atom, which comprises:reacting an N-substituted azetidine-2-carboxylic acid ester of the formula II: ##STR7## wherein R.sup.1 has the same meaning as defined above and R.sup.2 denotes an alkyl group, an aralkyl group or an allyl group, with an enzyme derived from a microorganism belonging to Candida, Mucor, Humicola, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Chromobacterium, Alkaligenes or Achromobacter, and capable of selectively hydrolyzing a stereoisomer based on the carbon atom of the 2-position of the azetidine ring in the presence of an organic solvent.