Asymmetric Synthesis of Ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate with Catalytic Antibody NB5 as Catalyst

Ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate ((R)-HPBE) was synthesized by asymmetric reduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate with catalytic antibody NB5. Catalytic antibodies were generated by hybridoma technology. The hapten and holoantigen were synthesized. A lot of monoclonal antibodies were obtained. Catalytic antibody NB5 showed good reduction activity in synthesis of ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate ((R)-HPBE). The biotransformation process was optimized with catalytic antibody NB5. The optimum reduction conditions were 30 0C, pH 6.0 and 210 min. NaBH4 in excess was added in reduction. Conversion was decreased with addition more amount of substrate. Conversion can reach 100% when initial substrate concentration was 30 umol/L. The enantiometric excess of ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate was <;99.9%.