The 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-cyclohexanols and 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-cyclopentanols are the basic structure of a series of juvenile hormone analogs which act as insect growth regulators. Their enantioselective transesterification with the lipase B from Candida antarctica produced pure enantiomers of R-cyclohexyl and R-cyclopentyl acetates (i.e. ee(p) > 99%). Differences observed in the resolution of the four racemic compounds are in accordance with model structure of secondary alcohols suitable for catalysis.