Preparation of various heteroaryl propanols 2a–g and of the corresponding propanones 3a– g as starting materials for microbial redox is described. The kinetic resolution of the racemic propanols 2a–g is obtained via oxidation with Pseudomonas paucimobilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus [(R)-alcohols, ee 74–100%]. Similar results are achieved with 3-(2- hydroxypropyl) trifluoromethylbenzene 7 (44%, ee 100% of the (R)-alcohol 6). The ...