The esters derived from 2-exo-bromo-3-endo-hydroxybicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-6-one were treated with Lipolase under hydrolytic conditions in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). All the esters tasted gave access to optically active material (e.e. 50-90%). The esters with an additional keto or hydroxy group were hydrolysed to 35-40% conversion while nonpolar lipophilic substrates gave poor conversions (3-5%) under the same conditions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.