First dynamic kinetic resolution of selenium-containing chiral amines catalyzed by palladium (Pd/BaSO4) and Candida antartica lipase (CAL-B)

An efficient method for chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of selenium-containing chiral amines (organoselenium-1-phenylethanamines) has been developed, leading to the corresponding amides in excellent enantioselectivities and high isolated yields. This one-pot procedure employs two different types of catalysts: Pd on barium sulphate (Pd/BaSO4) as racemization catalyst and lipase (CAL-B) as the resolution catalyst.