Biocatalysts-Mediated Preparation of Optically Active Hydroxy Acids

Optically active hydroxy acids have growing interests as the starting material of biologically active natural products. The authors have been studying the application of biocatalysts to the asymmetric synthesis of hydroxy acids. In this article, the following topics are shortly reviewed: 1) lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of α-benzyloxy esters; 2) preparation and the synthetic utilization of optically active cyanohydrins; 3) preparation of optically active mandelic acid via stereoselective oxido-reduction; 4) lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of α- and, β-hydroxy acids; 5) stereoselective reduction of β-keto esters; 6) kinetic resolution in lipase-catalyzed lactonization; 7) aldolase-catalyzed synthesis of sialic acid and its analogs.