Lipase preparations from four bacteria, Pseudomomas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chromobacterium viscosum and Corynebacterium oxydans, from a fungus, Candida cylindracae and from pig pancreas were contrasted for use in the transesterification of prochiral 2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. The results showed that the enzyme in a whole-cell preparation from C. oxydans was the most effective with vinyl acetate as acyl donor.