Simple chemoenzymatic access to enantiopure pharmacologically interesting (R)-2-hydroxypropiophenones

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of pharmacological interesting ( R )-2-hydroxypropiophenones starting from propiophenone derivatives is described. Manganese(III) acetate-mediated acetoxylation followed by fungus-mediated hydrolysis of propiophenone derivatives affords ( R )-2-hydroxypropiophenones in high enantiomeric excess.