Kinetic resolution of iodophenylethanols by Candida antarctica lipase and their application for the synthesis of chiral biphenyl compounds

The kinetic resolution of (±)-iodophenylethanols was carried out using lipase from Candida antarctica and in some cases the enantiomeric excesses were high (up to >98%). Enantiomerically enriched (S)-iodophenylethanols produced by the enzymatic resolution process were used in the synthesis of chiral biphenyl compounds by the Suzuki reaction with good yields (63-65%).