Lipase-catalysed enantioselective hydrolysis of bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanol esters in supercritical carbon dioxide

The esters derived from 2-exo-bromo-3-endo-hydroxybicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-6-one were treated with Lipolase under hydrolytic conditions in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). All the esters tested gave access to optically active material (e.e. 50–90%). The esters with an additional keto or hydroxy group were hydrolysed to 35–40% conversion while nonpolar lipophilic substrates gave poor conversions (3–5%) under the same conditions.