(R)-1-Arylethanols from aryl iodides through a two-step one-pot enantioselective chemoenzymatic process

(R)-1-Arylethanols have been prepared in high to excellent overall yields through a two-step one-pot process that involves the palladium-catalyzed conversion of aryl iodides into the corresponding acetophenones, in the presence of acetic anhydride, EtN(i-Pr)2, LiCl, and Pd2(dba)3 followed by an enantioselective reduction step catalyzed by the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme from Lactobacillus brevis.