Eleven β-hydroxy selenides were kinetically resolved using an immobilized lipase (Amano PS-C II) in toluene in the presence of vinyl acetate at 30° C. This approach provided, in several cases, both enantiomers in high enantiomeric excess. The role of the size of substituents and the behaviour of cyclic β-hydroxy selenides is also discussed. Enantiopure β-hydroxy selenides are useful building blocks. As an application of this chemistry, ...