ENZYME-MEDIATED RESOLUTION OF ALCOHOLS

The racemic cis and trans isomers 1a and 1b of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-c yclohexanol were subjects of an enzyme mediated resolution via esterif ication in organic solvents, in which the chiral esters 2a and 2b of t he corresponding alcohols 4a and 4b, and the chiral alcohols 3a and 3b were obtained. The chemical yield and enantioselectivity of this enzy matic reaction have been found to depend mainly on (a) the structure o f the substrate (cis or trans), (b) temperature, (c) the nature of the enzyme selected, and (d) the nature of the solvent.