Here we report a detailed procedure for the enzymatic kinetic resolution of 4-chloro-2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)pyridines, valuable precursors for the preparation of enantiomerically pure catalysts derived from 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase shows excellent enantioselectivity in the acylation of the (R)-enantiomer at 30 degrees C and 250 r.p.m., with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor and tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The reaction times for resolution of the pyridine derivatives depend on the structure of the selected substrate.