Kineticresolution of racemic 1-cyano-1-methylalkyl and alkenyl acetates has been achieved on incubation with IAM 4682, which hydolyzed selectively the ()-enantiomer, leaving behind the ()-enantiomer intact. The chiral 1-cyano-1-methyl-5-hexenyl acetate thus obtained was converted to ()-(−)-frontalin via unsaturated diol.