Lipase-catalyzed chemo- and enantioselective acetylation of 2-alkyl/aryl-3-hydroxypropiophenones.

The chemo- and enantioselective capabilities of porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) in tetrahydrofuran, and Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) in diisopropyl ether have been investigated for the acetylation of racemic 2-alkyl/aryl-3-hydroxypropiophenones, which are important precursors in the synthesis of biologically active chromanones and isoflavanones. A highly chemoselective acetylation of primary hydroxy group in preference to phenolic hydroxy group leading to the formation of enantiomerically enriched monoacetates has been observed.