Combined biocatalytic preparation of (R)-2-ethylhexanol and 2-ethylhexyl laurate

(R)-2-Ethylhexanol (R-1) is prepared in high optical purity (> 99% enantiom eric excess, e.e.) by the Pseudomonas sp. lipase-catalyzed acylation of rac emic 1 using vinyl laurate as the acylating agent that allows the isolation of (R)-1 by distillation. Nonactivated lauric acid proved to be very react ive, affording (R)-1 with > 99% e.e., but difficulties in down-stream proce ss disfavored its use. 2-Ethylhexyl laurate (3), the other product in this process, is also a commercially valuable material. Recycling of the enzyme and simple isolation of optically pure alcohol (R)-1 makes the method amena ble to the scale-up.