Fungal mediated kinetic resolution of racemic acetates to (R)-alcohols using Fusarium proliferatum

Abstract Fungal mediated kinetic resolution of seven acyclic/aromatic acetates was achieved using Fusarium proliferatum to furnish ( R )-alcohols in high enantiomeric excess (>95%). The kinetic resolution was established as one-pot two-step de-esterification/oxidation biocatalytic process. Further, the preparative scale synthesis of ( R )-(+)-1-phenylethanol was accomplished through de-esterification/oxidation of (±)-1-phenylethyl acetate using the whole cell of F. proliferatum NCIM 1105.