Kinetic resolution of racemic halohydrins, precursors of optically active di- and trialkyl-substituted epoxides, with lipase from Pseudomonas sp.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00430-8

Asymmetric acetylation of racemic halohydrins with vinyl acetate catalyzed by lipase from Pseudomonas sp. afforded the optically active β-halo alcohols 1 and acetates 2 in high enantiomeric excess (68 to >98%). The enzymatic kinetic resolution was performed on the preparative scale and the halo alcohols 1 and acetates 2 led to the optically active epoxides 3 after base treatment.