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BACKGROUND: Mandelic acid enantiomers are important chiral analogs used for the resolution of racemic alcohols and amines. R-(−)-mandelic acid is a precursor for the production of semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins and also for the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals. Production of optically pure mandelic acid enantiomers is commercially significant. This work deals with the resolution of RS-(±)-methyl mandelate to produce optically pure R-(−)-mandelic acid in non-aqueous media via lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis under microwave irradiation.

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