Enantioselective hydrolysis of N-acylated alpha-amino esters at a biphasic interface: tandem reaction kinetic resolution using a chiral complexing agent.

[reaction: see text] Highly enantioselective hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of esters derived from N-acylated alpha-amino acids proceed rapidly at hydrocarbon/water interfaces in the presence of a proline-derived chiral selector. When performed in tandem with an enantioselective biphasic esterification reaction, esters of 100% enantiomeric excess are obtained