Lipase-catalyzed monoprotection of 1,4-diols in an organic solvent using vinyl benzoate as acyl transfer agent

Lipase from Mucor miehei (MML) has been selected as the most suitable enzyme to catalyze the efficient monobenzoylation of 1,4-diols using vinyl benzoate as acyl transfer reagent in tert-butyl methyl ether. The regioselectivity of the monobenzoylation of 2-substituted-1,4-diols has been studied as well.