PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OPTICALLY ACTIVE 3-CHLORO-1-PHENYL-1-PROPANOL AND DERIVATIVE THEREOF

Abstract: An industrially highly advantageous process for producing optically active substances with a high optical purity conveniently, which comprises treating an enantiomeric mixture of 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl esters of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid with an enzyme which can asymmetrically hydrolyze the mixture, such as a lipase originating in the microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas , Aspergillus , Candida or Chromobacterium to give a mixture containing optically 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and separately recovering the optically active propanol or its derivative and the optically active propyl ester or its derivative from the mixture.

Description: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid, and derivatives thereof. These optically active compounds are important as intermediates for the synthesis of drugs. Chemical asymmetric reduction of 3-chloropropiophenone (see US-A-486834 and Tetrahedron Lett., 30 , 5207 (1989)) and transesterification thereof with lipase (see JP-A-202296/1989) are known as processes for the preparation of optically active 3-chloro-1-phenyl-1-propanol. However, the chemical asymmetric reduction is disadvantageous as an industrial process, because an asymmetric reducing agent is expensive, while the transesterification with lipase has problems in that the obtained product has only a poor optical purity. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., p.598-600, 1988 (Laumen et al.) discloses a highly selective ester hydrolase from Pseudomonas Sp. for the enzymatic preparation of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohol. It is the object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof which has a high optical purity, in an economical and simple way. Said object is achieved by a process for the preparation of optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof, characterized by reacting an enantiomeric mixture of a 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid represented by the following general formula (I) with an enzyme which asymmetrically hydrolyzes the mixture to form a mixture comprising one of the enantiomers of 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol in an optical purity of at least 70% and an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid: wherein R 1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight chain or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched monovalent halogeno hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are, independent from each other, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group, the alkyl moiety of which is straight-chain or branched and has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A preferred process comprises preparing the mixture of an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid through the above-mentioned step and thereafter separately recovering the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)- phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid from the mixture. Also preferred is a process which comprises preparing a mixture of an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol with an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid through the above-mentioned step, chemically treating the mixture to convert at least one of the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) -phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)- phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid into a derivative, and separately recovering the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-Phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or a derivative thereof from the resulting mixture. The raw material to be used in the process of the present invention is an enantiomeric mixture of a 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid represented by the above general formula (I). In the above general formula (I), R 1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched monovalent halogenohydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. R 1 is preferably a group selected from straight-chain and branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, halogenalkenyl and halogenoalkynyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Specific examples of R 1 include a methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, isopropenyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, hexyl group, heptadecyl group, heptadecynyl group, n-pentadecynyl group, monochloromethyl group, dichloromethyl group, trichloromethyl group, trichloroethyl group and a vinyl group. Further, R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are independent from each other and each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group, the alkyl moiety of which is straight-chain or branched and has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The phenyl moiety of the compound represented by the general formula (I) wherein at least one of R 2 , R 3 R 4 , R 5 and R 6 is a group of atoms other than a hydrogen atom is called "substituted phenyl group". Specific examples of the halogen atom include a chlorine atom and fluorine atom; those of the straight-chain and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms include a methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, etc.; and those of the alkoxy group, the alkyl moiety of which is straight-chain or branched and has 1 to 4 carbon atoms, include a methoxy group, ethoxy group, etc. These substituents may each be present at any of the ortho, meta or para positions with respect to the substituted propyl group (represented by the formula: Examples of the compound represented by the general formula (I) include those wherein R 1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are each a hydrogen atom, 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane corresponding to a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R 1 is a methyl group and R 2 R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are each a hydrogen atom, 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propane corresponding to a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R 1 is a methyl group, R 4 is a nitro group and R 2 , R 3 , R 5 and R 6 are each a hydrogen atom, and 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane corresponding to a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R 1 is a methyl group, R 4 is a hydroxyl group and R 2 , R 3 , R 5 and R 6 are each a hydrogen atom. It is preferable from the standpoint of costs that the enantiomeric mixture of a 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid to be used as the raw material, i.e., the substrate of an enzyme, in the process of the present invention is a racemic modification. The optical isomer ratio of the enantiomeric mixture to be used in the process of the invention is not particularly limited, but may be any one. The enzyme to be used in the process of the invention is not particularly limited, but may be any one as far as it can asymmetrically hydrolyze the above-mentioned enantiomeric mixture. Examples of such an enzyme include lipases which originate in microorganisms selected from those of the genera Pseudomomas , Aspergillus , Candida , Chromobacterium , Penicillium , Geotrichum and Rhizopus and can attain the object of the present invention. Further, a lipase originating in swine pancreas may be also cited. Particularly, a lipase originating in a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas or Aspergillus is preferred. Among pseudomonas-originating lipases, one orginating in Pseudomonas sp , is preferred; among aspergillus-originating lipases, one originating in Aspergillus niger is particularly preferred; among candida-originating lipases, one originating in Candida cylindracea is preferred; and among chromobacterium-originating lipases, one originating in Chromobacterium viscosum is preferred. Further, among penicillium-originating lipases, one originating in Penicillium cyclopium is preferred; among geotrichum-originating lipases, one originating in Geotrichum candidum is preferred; and among rhizopus-originating lipases, those originating in Rhizopus japonicus and Rhizopus niveus are preferred. Such a lipase can be prepared by culturing a microorganism which can produce it. The lipase may be used in various forms including untreated culture mixture, crude enzyme, purified enzyme and so forth and the form thereof is not particularly limited. Alternatively, it may be used in a state immobilized on a support by various conventional processes. These enzymes may be used each alone or as a mixture of two or more of them at need. Among the above lipases, one originating in Pseudomonas sp . is commercially available as "Lipase P, Amano" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.) or "Lipase PS, Amano" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.); one originating in Aspergillus niger as "Lipase A-6, Amano" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.), "Lipase A-12, Amano" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.) or "Palatase A750L® (a product of Novo); one originating in Candida cylindracea as "Lipase MY" (a product of Meito Sangyo Co., Ltd.) or "Lipase OF" (a product of Meito Sangyo Co., Ltd.); one originating in Chromobacterium viscosum as "Lipase" (a product of Toyo Jozo Co., Ltd.); one originating in Penicillium cyclopium as "Lipase G, Amano" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.); one originating in Geotrichum candidum as "Lipase GC, Amano 20" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K,); one originating in Rhizopus japonicus as "Lipase F-AP, Amano 15" (a product of Amano Seiyaku K.K.); one originating in Rhizopus niveus as "Newlase F, Amano 3"®; and one originating in swine pancreas as "Steapsin"® (a product of Tokyo Kasei K.K.). The use of these commercially available lipases is preferred. According to the process of the present invention, the asymmetric hydrolysis is conducted in an aqueous solvent at a substrate (raw material) concentration ranging from 0.1 to 80% (w/v), preferably from 1 to 30% (w/v) at a temperature of 0 to 80°C, preferably 10 to 60°C, still preferably 20 to 50°C, particularly preferably at a temperature near the optimum temperature of the enzyme under either stirring or allowing to stand, preferably under stirring, with the enzyme being used in an amount necessary for attaining the object, e.g., at a weight ratio of the enzyme to the substrate of between 1 : 0.1 and 1 : 1000, preferably between 1 : 1 and 1 : 100, depending on the enzyme activity. It is preferable in some cases that the pH of the reaction system is controlled. The pH may be controlled either by using a suitable buffer as the aqueous solvent or by the use of an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like and a pH-stat. The reaction is monitored by various analytical methods such as gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography, by which the amount of the product formed, the optical purity thereof, etc. can be determined. The reaction may be stopped at a suitable point of time. The reaction may be stopped by the addition of a suitable organic solvent, acid or alkali to the reaction system. By the asymmetric hydrolysis, only one optically active compound is hydrolyzed into an alcohol corresponding thereto, while the other remains as such, i.e., in the form of an ester. Which of the Rand S-enantiomers is hydrolyed depends on the kind of the enzyme used, the strain of the microorganism producing the enzyme, etc. The process of the present invention is not particularly limited in respect of the treatment method (post step) of the obtained mixture comprising the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid. One example of the post step is direct separation of the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propanol formed by the hydrolysis from the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid, which is conducted by, e.g., adding a suitable organic solvent such as ether and ethyl acetate, to the reaction mixture of the enzymatic hydrolysis to extract both of the optically active compounds (the alcohol as a product while the ester as an unreacted matter) and isolating and purifying the optically active compounds respectively from the extract by silica gel column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, distillation or the like. Alternatively, a method wherein prior to the respective isolation of the optically active compounds, at least one of the compounds is converted into a derivative is cited. That is, the reaction mixture of the above enzymatic hydrolysis or the extract therefrom containing both optically active compounds may be chemically treated to convert at least one of the compounds into a derivative, followed by the respective isolation and purification of the resulting compounds by silica gel column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, distillation or the like. More specifically, for example, the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol formed by the hydrolysis is converted into a benzoyl ester by a conventional process using an acid chloride, by which the difference in the boiling point between the same and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted) phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid is enlarged, and thereafter both compounds are separated and purified by distillation. The optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or derivative thereof and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or derivative thereof separated and purified by the above process can each be used as a raw material for the preparation of various drugs, either as such or after being converted into a suitable derivative at need. For example, the above ester may be used after being hydrolyzed into an alcohol by a suitable means. The process of the present invention allows simple and easy preparation of an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof and an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or a derivative thereof, each of which has a high optical purity, thus being industrially extremely advantageous. The present invention will now be described in more detail by referring to the following examples. Example 1 213 mg (1 mmol) of racemic 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane was put in a 30-ml short-necked flask, followed by the addition of 10 ml of a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH : 7.2) and 213 mg of "Lipase P, Amano". The obtained mixture was stirred at 36°C to conduct a reaction. The reaction was monitored by gas chromatography. Four days after the initiation of the reaction, the conversion reached about 50% and the reaction was stopped. The obtained reaction mixture was extracted with 10 ml of ether twice and the ether layers were combined and washed with water. The organic (ether) layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under a reduced pressure. The concentrate was chromatographed on a silica gel column [developer: hexane / ethyl acetate = 40 : 1 (v/v)]. 93 mg of (S)-(-)-1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane was recovered from the first fraction (yield: 43.8%) and 81 mg of (R)-(+)-3-chloro-1-phenyl-propanol from the second fraction (yield: 48.1%). The configuration was determined by HPLC (developer: n-hexane / isopropanol = 19 : 1 (v/v), 1 ml/min, 40°C and detection at 254 nm) using a column for optical resolution "Chiral cell OB"® (a product of Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The physical properties of the obtained optically active compounds are as follows: (S)-(-)-1-Acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane; [α] D 21 -58.2 (c = 1.34, CHCℓ 3 ) IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3100, 3050, 2980, 1750, 1610, 1590, 1500, 1460, 1375, 1240, 1030 60MHz 1 H-NMR (CCℓ 4 , δ) 1.98 (s, 1H, -COCH 3 ), 2.05 - 2.42 (m, 2H, CH 2 CH 2 Cℓ), 3.23 - 3.60 (m, 2H, CH 2 Cℓ), 5.80 (dd, J = 8Hz, 5Hz, 1H, CH), 7.23 (s, 5H) (R)-(+)-3-Chloro-1-phenylpropanol; [α] D 21 +29.5 (c = 1.12, CHCℓ 3 ) IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3300(OH), 3050, 2950, 2900, 1500, 1475, 1340, 1300, 1295, 1240, 1200, 1140, 1060, 1040, 1020 60MHz 1 H-NMR (CCℓ 4 , δ) 1.80 - 2.35 (m, 2H, CH 2 CH 2 ℓ), 2.10 (br.s, 1H, OH), 3.28 -3.92 (m, 2H, -CH 2 Cℓ), 4.87 (dd, J = 8Hz, 5Hz, 1H, CH), 7.31 (s, 5H) Examples 2 to 4 The same procedure with respect to the reaction system, reaction and purification as that of Example 1 was repeated except that the enzyme was replaced by one listed in Table 1 and the reaction time was changed to one specified in Table 1. The yield, specific rotation and configuration of each of the obtained optically active compounds were determined in a similar manner to that of Example 1. The results are given in Table 1. Ex. No. Enzyme Reaction time Obtained alcohol Obtained ester yield (%) [α] D 21 configuration yield (%) [α] D 21 configuration 2 Lipase PS, Amano 3 days 47.5 +26.1 R 45.2 -59.7 S 3 Lipase A-6, Amano 17 hours 51.0 -22.9 S 44.7 +52.5 R 4 Lipase A-12, Amano 14 hours 43.9 -21.0 S 49.4 +49.4 R Examples 5 to 13 250 mg of racemic 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenyl-propane was put in a test tube, followed by the addition of 5 ml of a 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH: 7.2) and 250 mg of each of the enzymes listed in Table 2. The resulting mixture was stirred at 26°C to conduct a reaction. The reaction was monitored by gas chromatography. After the progress of the reaction to a suitable extent has been ascertained, the extraction of the reaction mixture and the purification of the extract were conducted in a similar manner to that of Example 1, and the yield, optical purity and configuration of each of the obtained optically active 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane and the obtained optically active 3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol were determined. The results are given in Table 2. The optical purity and configuration were determined by HPLC (solvent: n-hexane / isopropanol = 19 : 1 (v/v), 1 ml/min, 40°C and detection at 254 nm) using a column for optical resolution "Chiral cell OB" (a product of Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Ex. No. Enzyme Reaction time (hr) Obtained alcohol Obtained ester yield (%) configuration optical purity (%e.e.) yield (%) configuration optical purity (%e.e.) 5 Lipase MY 46 30 R 95 60 S 50 6 Lipase OF 46 48 R 96 43 S 92 7 Lipase (Toyo Jozo) 143 20 R 88 70 S 25 8 Lipase G 96 15 R 90 76 S 20 9 Lipase GC, Amano 20 96 20 R 92 71 S 30 10 Lipase F-AP, Amano 15 96 12 S 80 77 R 15 11 Newlase F, Amano 3 96 10 S 90 82 R 10 12 Palatase A750L 96 20 S 90 72 R 30 13 Lipase (Steapsin) 96 10 R 70 81 S 10 Example 14 250 mg of racemic 1-valeryloxy-3-chloro-1-phenylpropane was put in a test tube, followed by the addition of 5 ml of a 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH: 7.2) and 250 mg of Lipase OF. The reaction of the resulting mixture and the extraction and purification of the reaction mixture were conducted in a similar manner to that of Example 5 except that the reaction time was changed to 72 hours. Optically active compounds were obtained and the yield, optical purity and configuration of each of them were determined. The obtained alcohol had the R-configuration and an optical purity of 87% e.e. and its yield was 42%, while the obtained ester had the S-configuration and an optical purity of 73% e.e. and its yield was 50%. Example 15 The reaction, extraction and purification were conducted in a similar manner to that of Example 8 except that 250 mg of racemic 1-acetoxy-3-chloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)propane was used as the raw material. The yield, optical purity and configuration of each of the obtained optically active compounds were determined. The obtained alcohol had the R-configuration and an optical purity of 82% e.e. and its yield was 32%, while the obtained ester had the S-configuration and an optical purity of 40% e.e. and its yield was 59%.

Claims: A process for the preparation of optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or a derivative thereof, characterized by reacting an enantiomeric mixture of a 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid represented by the following general formula (I) with an enzyme which asymmetrically hydrolyzes the mixture to form a mixture comprising one of the enantiomers of 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol in an optical purity of at least 70% and an optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid: wherein R 1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight chain or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched monovalent halogeno hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are, independent from each other, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group, the alkyl moiety of which is straight-chain or branched and has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The process of claim 1, wherein the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid are separately recovered from the mixture obtained after preparing the mixture comprising the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid. The process of claim 1, wherein, after carrying out the reaction, the obtained mixture is chemically treated to thereby convert at least one of the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid into a derivative and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol or its derivative and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or its derivative are each separately recovered. The process of claim 1, wherein R 1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are each a hydrogen atom. The process of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is at least one lipase selected from those originating in microorganisms of the genera Pseudomonas , Aspergillus , Candida, Chromobacterium , Penicillium , Geotrichum and Rhizopus and swine pancreas. The process of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is a lipase originating in a microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas or Aspergillus. The process of claim 1, wherein the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol has the R-configuration and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid has the S-configuration. The process of claim 1, wherein the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propanol has the S-configuration and the optically active 3-chloro-1-(substituted)-phenyl-1-propyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid has the R-configuration.

Inventors: ITOH MICHIO, KOBAYASHI YOSHINORI, NEGORO MASAYUKI, TSUBOI SADAO, UTAKA MASANORI, ITOH, MICHIO, KOBAYASHI, YOSHINORI, NEGORO, MASAYUKI, TSUBOI, SADAO, UTAKA, MASANORI
Applicants: DAICEL CHEM, DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C12P41
IPC codes: C12N9, C12P7, C12P41