Chemoselective acylation of (hydroxyalkyl)phenols catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B.

Acylation of (hydroxyalkyl)phenols with vinyl esters by lipase B from Candida antarctica proceeded smoothly in a highly chemoselective manner, affording their alkyl esters exclusively or at least predominantly. The enzyme therefore discriminates between an alcoholic hydroxyl from a phenolic hydroxyl in addition to having versatile catalytic abilities for organic synthesis.