A green resolution–separation process for aliphatic secondary alcohols

In order to obtain both enantiomers of aliphatic secondary alcohols via a greener method, the four-step resolution–separation process involving lipase-catalyzed enantioselective esterification and hydrolysis as well as two separation procedures both via heterogeneous azeotropic distillation was developed. (S)-2-Pentanol (ee = 98.6%), (R)-2-pentanol (ee >99%), (S)-2-octanol (ee = 98.2%), and (R)-2-octanol (ee = 98.5%) were all produced in high purity (>98%) and high yield (>90%). In addition to the two model substrates, this method could also be applied to the resolution of other aliphatic secondary alcohols.