Enzymatic kinetic resolution of aromatic substituted norbornene mono-esters using pigʹs liver esterase

Pigʹs liver esterase (PLE) has been used as a chiral catalyst in the enzymatic kinetic resolution of aromatic substituted norbornene mono-esters, methyl 3-endo-phenylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-exo-carboxylate and its endo-counterpart, methyl 3-endo-p-nitro-phenyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-exo-carboxylate and methyl 3-endo-benzoylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-exo-carboxylate. In this study a range of low to high enantioselectivities (83% ee) was observed. The effect of co-solvents has also been examined.