Abstract The synthesis and enzyme-catalyzed desymmetrization of meso-1, 2-diaryl-1, 2- diaminoethanes have been investigated. A family of aromatic meso-1, 2-diamines, containing different substitution patterns in the aromatic ring, was first prepared and then desymmetrized enantioselectively using lipases as biocatalysts. Selective alkoxycarbonylation of one of the amino groups was achieved using allyl carbonates, ...
