Lipase-catalyzed regioselective protection of hydroxyl groups in aromatic dihydroxyaldehydes and ketones

Pseudomonas cepacia lipase catalyzes the acetylation in organic solvent of dihydroxyaldehydes and ketones using vinyl acetate as acyl donor. The method is completely regioselective and allows to obtain partially acetylated compounds different from those obtained by enzymic hydrolysis of polyacetoxy arylaldehydes and ketones.