Desymmetrization of meso-hydrobenzoin via stereoselective enzymatic esterification

Desymmetrization of meso-hydrobenzoin by irreversible acyl transfer using vinyl acetate as the acyl donor in the presence of Rhizopusjavanicus lipase or Candida cylindracea lipase enables the preparation of (R)-1-acetoxy-(S)-2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethane and (S)-1-acetoxy-(R)-2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethane respectively in excellent optical purity.