A practical enzymatic method for preparation of (S)-ketoprofen with a crude Candida rugosa lipase

A simple and practical method for the preparation of (S)-Ketoprofen (2-(3-benzoylphenyl) propionic acid) has been developed through the hydrolysis of its chloroethyl ester catalyzed by a cheap and commercially available crude Candida rugosa lipase preparation under an extremely acidic condition, pH 2.5, and in the presence of Tween-80. As the reaction was carried out in a shake flask with baffles, the degree of hydrolysis was enhanced from 31.5% to 42.2%. A needle-like crystalline of (S)-Ketoprofen was obtained with 95.7% e.e. after simple separation and purification.