• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2007

One drawback of conventional kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides by epoxide hydrolase (EH) is that the theoretical yield can never exceed 50%. This 50% limitation can be overcome by using enantioconvergent process, in which both enantiomers of the racemic epoxide are transformed via stereochemically matching pathways into a single enantiopure diol as the sole product in 100% theoretical yield. In order to make a single enantiopure vicinal diol, the two enantiomers of the racemic epoxide must be hydrolyzed with retention and inversion of configuration each other. The EHs should be enantio- and regiospecific at the same time. The enantioconvergent hydrolysis with EHs and relevant biotransformation for preparing enantiopure epoxides and vicinal diols with a high yield are reviewed.