Lipase catalysed synthesis of optically enriched alpha-haloamides.

An efficient lipase catalysed synthesis of optically enriched alpha-halogenated amides with concomitant optical enrichment of the starting alpha-haloesters is described. Candida antarctica lipase (CAL) was found to be a better catalyst over porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) and Candida cylindracea lipase (CCL). The effect of different organic solvents was also studied.