The enzymatic hydrolysis of methyl 2-fluoro-2-arylpropionates was performed using lipases from Candida rugosa and Candidacylindracea (OF-360). A careful analysis of the reaction products revealed that racemic 2-hydroxy-2-arylpropionic acid and traces of 2-arylacrylic acid are formed, in addition to the expected 2-aryl-2-fluoropropionic acid. The presence of powerful electron-releasing groups in the