Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Zeneca Limited

Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Robert Jeffrey Copeland

Philip N Edwards

Andrew G Brewster

Andrew John Blacker

Robert Antony Holt

Michael J Cooper

Method of preparing an optically active compound of formula, wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a heterocyclic group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-heterocycle, each being optionally substituted, procided that R and R.sup.1 are not identical and * is an optically active chiral center, from the corresponding racemic ester or diol by treating with a hydrolase enzyme.

Chiral synthesis of tertiary alcohols with a hydrolase

Catalyzed enantiomeric selection of 1,2-diols and their cyclization to

Solid sodium or potassium p-hydroxymandelate monohydrate and a process for isolating it from a known reaction mixture of phenol, glyoxylic acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide. The product is a useful intermediate for the preparation of the .beta.-adrenergic blocking agent atenolol.

Salt of p-hydroxymandelate

A process for the manufacture of p-hydroxybenzyl cyanide which comprises reacting p-hydroxymandelic acid with cyanide ion. The product is a useful intermediate for the preparation of the .beta.-adrenergic blocking agent atenolol.

Process for the manufacture of p-hydroxybenzyl cyanide

Growing community of inventors

Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Robert Jeffrey Copeland