Kinetic resolution of 1,2-dihydroxy-3-ferrocenylpropane by sequential lipase-catalysed esterification

One-pot sequential esterification of 1,2-dihydroxy-3-ferrocenylpropane 1, catalysed by lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia, allowed kinetic resolution of the racemate, affording (-)-(R)-1-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-3-ferrocenylpropane (-)-2, and (+)-(S)-1,2-diacetoxy-3-ferrocenylpropane (+)-3, in high chemical yield and enantiomeric excess.