Microbial Resolution of (±)-Borneols

Abstract

(±)-Bornyl acetate and (±)-isobornyl acetate were asymmetrically hydrolyzed by micro-organisms to give (-)-borneol with (+)-bornyl acetate and (-)-isoborneol with (+)-isobornyl acetate although in low hydrolytic ratios. On the contrary (±)-bornyl chloroacetate and (±)-isobornyl chloroacetate were easily hydrolyzed by microorganisms to afford (-)-borneol and (-)-isoborneol with the acetate of their antipodes. Also, enzymatic hydrolysis of (±)-menthyl chloroacetate proceeded faster than that of (±)-menthyl acetate.