LP-catalyzed hydrolyses of 4-cyanomethyl 1-methyl veratryl- and (3-methoxy benzyl)succinates lead in high optical yield to the corresponding (R)-butanoic acids. HLE-catalyzed hydrolyses of various methyl and cyanomethyl veratrylsuccinates lead to mixtures of propanoic and butanoic acids with medium enantioselectivity.