Asymmetric decarboxylation of arylmalonates and racemization of profens by arylmalonate decarboxylase and its variants

This article discusses the arylmalonate decarboxylase (AMDase)-catalyzed desymmetrization of α-aryl-α-Me malonic acids which gives rise to profens such as Naproxen and Flurbiprofen in up to 100% theor. yield. The racemization of profens using an AMDase mutant is also reported. It shows that the AMDase can be used for the prodn. of hydroxy acids and non-proteinogenic amino acids. [on SciFinder(R)]