DMSO-triggered enhancement of enantioselectivity in Novozyme[435]-catalyzed transesterification of chiral 1-phenylethanols

Dimethyl sulfoxide as cosolvent enhances the enantioselectivity of resolved products up to 100% in the Novozyme[435]-catalyzed transesterification of chiral 1-phenylethanols but not 1-phenyl-2-haloethanols in THF. The reaction does not proceed in lipophilic and water-miscible polar solvents.