An Effective Enzymatic Resolution of rac-1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)propan-2-ol Precursor of Fenfluramine

Lipases from Candida antarctica and Mucor miehei catalyse efficiently the enantioselective esterification of rac-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)propan-2-ol. This alcohol obtained in enantiopure form is suitable to prepare both the enantiomers of fenfluramine.