Bio-resolution of glycidyl (o, m, p)-methylphenyl ethers by Bacillus megaterium.

A newly isolated Bacillus megaterium with epoxide hydrolase activity resolved racemic glycidyl (o, m, p)-methylphenyl ethers to give enantiopure epoxides in 84-99% enantiomeric excess and with 21-73 enantiomeric ratios. The (S)-enantiomer was obtained from rac-glycidyl (o or m)-methylphenyl ether while the (R)-epoxides was obtained from glycidyl p-methylphenyl ether. The observations are explained at the level by enzyme-substrate docking studies.