Lipases are also suitable for the resolution of complex molecules having more than one additional functional group. For example, acyloin acetate can be hydrolyzed with E > 300 leading to diol in excellent enantioselectivity (Scheme 8).

Scheme 8

Hydrolases can also recognize “remote chiral centers”. For example, ester group separated from the stereogenic center by an aromatic group proceeds hydrolysis with enantioselectivity having the E value of 60 (Scheme 9). The product, Lasofoxifene ( cis ), is a potent and selective estrogen receptor modulator.

Scheme 9