Derivatives of both enantiomers of butane-1,2,4-triol have been obtained through a transesterification reaction catalyzed by Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL) in organic solvents. The influence of the solvent on the enantioselectivity has been thoroughly examined. It has been found that the enantioselectivity depends on both the hydrophobicity and the polarity of the solvent in a semi-quantitative way. The influence of other experimental variables (temperature, amounts of lipase and acylating agent, addition of water, addition of molecular sieves) on the enantioselectivity has also been investigated.