Applications Of Enzymes In The Synthesis Of Bioactive Polyols

Cyclopentadiene, benzene and cycloheptatriene have been transformed to the functionalized meso-diols. The resulting meso-diols or their corresponding meso-diacetates have been subjected to enzymatic asymmetrizations using enzymes, particularly lipase, in organic or aq. media. Examples of the use of the resulting aracemic products in the synthesis of a variety of polyols of biological interest have been reviewed.