Process for preparing optically active (R)-(-)-3-halo-1,2- propanediol from an epihalohydrin by a strain of corynebacterium or microbacterium

摘要

A process for preparing an optically active (R)-(-)-3-halo-1,2- propanediol comprising reacting an epihalohydrin with an epihalohydrin hydratase originating from a microorganism. For example, the microorganism belongs to the genus Corynebacterium or the genus Microbacterium. Epihalohydrins which can be used include epichlorohydrin and epibromohydrin. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of from 5° to 50° C. and a pH of from 4 to 10.