The bakers' yeast reduction of (trifluoroacetyl)biphenyl derivatives produces (R)-trifluoromethyl biphenylyl carbinols in high enantioselectivity, whereas the reduction of the same derivatives with Geotrichum candidum acetone powder gives the corresponding (S)-carbinols in excellent yields and enantioselectivity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.