The kinetic resolution [1] of chiral trans-cycloalkane-1, 2-diols (1) presents a formidable challenge [2] and a rare case where chemical methods are superior to enzymatic approaches. Taking the kinetic resolution of trans-cyclohexane-1, 2-diol (1a, n= 2) through monoacylation as the delineating test reaction, it was shown that various Pseudomonas lipases display both low activities (reaction times typically within the range of days) and ...
