Lipase-catalyzed alcoholysis of diol dibenzoates: selective enzymatic access to the 2-benzoyl ester of 1,2-propanediol and preparation of the enantiomerically pure (R)-1-O-benzoyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol

Debenzoylation of 1,2-propanediol dibenzoate with 1-octanol in organic solvent has been studied in the presence of lipases from different sources. The best result was obtained with Pseudomonas cepacia lipase absorbed onto celite that allowed the preparation of the 2-benzoyl ester of (R)-1,2-propanediol (82% ee) and (R)-1-O-benzoyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (>98% ee).