Method for the production of (r)- and (S)-8-chloro-6-hydroxyoctanic acid alkyl esters by enzymatic reduction

US7157253B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Viatris GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Michael Muller · Bensberg, DE
• Wolfgang Sauer · Everberg, BE
• Gunter Laban · Dresden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 2, 2007
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P7/62
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the production of (R)- or (S)-8-chloro-6-hydroxyoctanoic acid alkyl esters of the general formula (R)-II or (S)-IIin which R has the meaning C1-4-alkyl, from 8-chloro-6-oxooctanoic acid alkyl esters of the general formula Iin which R has the above meaning, by enzymatic reduction using alcohol dehydrogenases, such as Lactobacillus brevis or Thermoanaerobium brokii, in the presence of cofactor regeneration systems.The resulting (R)- and (S)-8-chloro-6-hydroxyoctanoic acid esters can be converted in a known manner into (R)-α-lipoic acid and (S)-α-lipoic acid, respectively.