Mechanochemical Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols under Ball-Milling Conditions

Mechanosynthesis is a valuable technique, offering attractive alternatives for the preparation of organic, inorganic, and organometallic products. Surprisingly, mechanochemical enzymatic transformations have only scarcely been studied until now. Here, we demonstrate the use of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) in acylative kinetic resolutions of secondary alcohols in mixer and planetary mills. Despite the mechanical stress caused by the high- speed ball milling, the biocatalyst proved highly effective, stable, and, in part, recyclable under the applied mechanochemical conditions.