Regioselective Acetylation of 2-Aryl-2-butene-1,4-diols and Hydrolysis of Their Diacetates Using Porcine Pancreas Lipase

Acetylation of 2-aryl-2-butene-1,4-diols with 10 equivalents of vinyl acetate in the presence of 50 wt% of porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) Type II regioselectively proceeded to afford the corresponding 3-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyl acetates in 83-93% yields. Hydrolysis of 2-aryl-2-butene-1,4-diyl diacetates in the presence of 100 wt% of PPL Type 11 regioselectively afforded the corresponding 2-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyl acetates in 68-95% yields.