The enantioselective (E> 200) lipase PS-catalysed hydrolysis of β-heteroaryl-β-amino esters is described. The reactions were performed with H2O (0.5 equiv) in either diisopropyl ether or tert-butyl methyl ether at 25° C. The resulting β-heteroaryl-substituted β-amino acid enantiomers were formed in high enantiomeric excess (ee⩾ 97%) and in good yield (⩾ 40%).
