Abstract
A simple and practical method for the preparation of (S)-Ketoprofen (2-(3-benzoylphenyl) propionic acid) has been developed through the hydrolysis of its chloroethyl ester catalyzed by a cheap and commercially available crude Candida rugosa lipase preparation under an extremely acidic condition, pH 2.5, and in the presence of Tween-80. As the reaction was carried out in a shake flask with baffles, the degree of hydrolysis was enhanced from 31.5% to 42.2%. A needle-like crystalline of (S)-Ketoprofen was obtained with 95.7% e.e. after simple separation and purification.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29506043)and Commission of Science and Technology of Shanghai Municipal Government (“Scientific Phosphor” Program).