Lipase catalyzed resolutions of some α,α-disubstituted 1,2-diols in organic solvents; near absolute regio and chiral recognition

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(94)80019-7

Several racemic 1,2-diols bearing a tertiary benzylic alcohol stereogenic center can be esterified regioselectively by vinyl acetate using lipases and esterases in organic media. With the correct choice of enzyme and if non-phenyl substituent at the tertiary center is unsaturated, E values of >250 can be achieved.