The kinetic resolution of racemic seven-membered lactones is reported, for the first time in bulk (solvent-free) conditions, by lipase-catalysed butanolysis. The lactones studied were substituted at either the 4- or the 6-position. With these lactones, Novozym-435 lipase (from Candida antarctica) induced (S)-selective butanololysis, and (R)-lactones were recovered unreacted with >97% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). The reactions were studied at different reaction temperatures, viz. 0, 23, 40 and 60degreesC. A comparative study of the effect of temperature on the kinetic resolution is presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.