Amide Synthesis via Aminolysis of Ester or Acid with an Intracellular Lipase

A unique lipase (SpL) from Sphingomonas sp. HXN-200 was discovered as the first intracellular enzyme for the aminolysis of ester or acid to produce amide. Reactions of a series of esters and amines with SpL gave the corresponding amides 3a–g in high yield with high activity. SpL also showed high enantioselectivity and high activity for enantioselective ester aminolysis, producing amides (R)-3h–j in high ee from the corresponding racemic ester or...