Enantiopure derivatives of 1,2-alkanediols: Substrate requirements of lipase B fromCandida antarctica

Efficient methods for kinetic resolution of 1-phenoxy-2-butanol, 1-phenylmethoxy-2-butanol, and 1-phenoxy-2-pentanol were developed using lipase B from Candida antarctica as catalyst. Resolutions were performed in order to investigate the substrate requirements needed to obtain a high E-value. The effect of the substrate structure on E is different for transesterifications in organic media as compared to hydrolysis. The influence of different acyl donors on the E-value was also investigated. Chirality 12:654–659, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.