Abstract There are two general approaches to the use of hydrolysis and esterification in asymmetric synthesis, and usually both involve the use of enzymes as asymmetric catalysts. In one case the asymmetric catalyst is used in a kinetic resolution process in which one enantiomer of a racemic mixture reacts more rapidly than its antipode. In the example shown (Fig. 9.1) the lipase-catalysed hydrolysis of the (1R,2R)-enantiomer of 9.1 is rapid. In effect, the (1S,.2S) enantiomer is not a substrate for the enzyme, and essentially all of the fastreacting antipode is hydrolysed to the alcohol. As in all simple resolution procedures, the yield of an individual enantiomer cannot be greater than fifty per cent, and the two enantiomerlc components, ester (1S,2S)-9.l and alcohol 9.2 still need to be separated.