Lipase-mediated stereodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of 4-(2,6-dimethylheptyl)benzoic acid

(S)- and (R)-Enantiomers of methyl 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)benzoate, obtained by enzymatic kinetic resolution of the related racemic arene(tricarbonyl)chromium complex in the vinyl acetate–PPL/Et₂O acylating system, have been converted in four steps into the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the title acid, respectively.