Preparation of (R)-2-chloro-1-(m-chlorophenyl)ethanol by Lipozyme TL IM-catalyzed second resolution

(R)-2-Chloro-1-(m-chlorophenyl)ethanol, a precursor of (R)-3-chlorostyrene oxide which is the key chiral intermediate for the preparation of several β3-adrenergic receptor agonists was prepared in 40% yield and 99% ee by the Lipozyme TL IM-catalyzed second resolution of the corresponding racemate in the presence of vinyl acetate.