Enzyme‐Mediated Syntheses of the Enantiomers of γ‐Irones

An enzymatic approach to the synthesis of all the possible stereoisomers of (E) and (Z), cis and trans‐γ‐irones in enantiomerically pure form from commercial Irone Alpha^® is described. A very efficient resolution of racemic trans‐γ‐irone, affording both the enantiomers in high ee and chemical purity, is also presented. Olfactory evaluation of (+)‐ and (−)‐ 3b and full configuration assignment of the irone isomers contained in samples of Italian iris oil are reported.