Candida antartica lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-substituted bis(ethoxycarbonylmethyl) 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates as the key step in the synthesis of optically active dihydropyridines

Prochiral bis(ethoxycarbonylmethyl) substituted 4-aryl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates were hydrolyzed enantioselectively by Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435). The enantiomeric excesses varied from 68 to 93°depending on the substituent at position 4. In some cases, the e.e. could be significantly increased by changing the solvent system.