Abstract: A catalytic transfer hydrogenation process is provided. The catalyst employed in the process is a metal cyclopentadienyl complex which is coordinated to defined bidentate ligands. Preferred metals include rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. Preferred bidentate ligands are diamines and aminoalcohols, particularly those comprising chiral centers. The hydrogen donor is advantageously a secondary alcohol or a mixture of triethylamine and formic acid. The process can be employed to transfer hydrogenate ketones and imines, which are preferably prochiral. Catalysts for use in such a process are also provided.

Abstract: A catalytic transfer hydrogenation process is provided. The catalyst employed in the process is a metal cyclopentadienyl complex which is coordinated to defined bidentate ligands. Preferred metals include rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. Preferred bidentate ligands are diamines and aminoalcohols, particularly those comprising chiral centers. The hydrogen donor is advantageously a secondary alcohol or a mixture of triethylamine and formic acid. The process can be employed to transfer hydrogenate ketones and imines, which are preferably prochiral. Catalysts for use in such a process are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aromatic organozinc compound is provided. The process comprises reacting a zinc chloride, bromide or iodide and an organometallic compound of another metal comprising an aromatic moiety, producing a reaction product comprising an organozinc compound and a halide salt of the other metal. The reaction product is then contacted with a liquid hydrocarbon, in which the organozinc compound is soluble and the halide salt of the other metal is of low solubility. The halide salt of the other metal is separated from the hydrocarbon, and the organozinc compound can be recovered from the hydrocarbon. Organozinc compounds produced by this process can be employed to generate chiral centres in suitable substrates.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of Formula (3) in which R.sup.2 is --H; ##STR1## which comprises the steps: i) conversion of a compound of Formula (1) into a compound of Formula (2) using a dioxygenase enzyme; ##STR2## ii) conversion of the compound of Formula (2) into a compound of Formula (3) wherein is --COR; andiii) conversion of the compound of Formula (3) in which R.sup.2 is --COR into a compound of Formula (3) in which R.sup.2 is --H;wherein R.sup.2, a, b, c, d, Z, m and X are as defined in claim 1.Also claimed are individual steps of the process and new compounds of Formula (2).

Abstract: Method of preparing an optically active compound of formula, wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a heterocyclic group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-heterocycle, each being optionally substituted, procided that R and R.sup.1 are not identical and * is an optically active chiral center, from the corresponding racemic ester or diol by treating with a hydrolase enzyme.

Abstract: Method of preparing an optically active compound of formula, wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a heterocyclic group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-heterocycle, each being optionally substituted, procided that R and R.sup.1 are not identical and * is an optically active chiral center, from the corresponding racemic ester or diol by treating with a hydrolase enzyme. In particular, racemic 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-1,2 diol, an intermediate in fluconazole synthesis, is resolved using porcine pancreatic lipase or lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum.