Factors that control the competition between toluene dioxgenase-catalysed arene cis-dihydroxylation and dehydrogenase-catalysed ketone reduction have been studied, using whole cells of Pseudomonas putida UV and three alkylaryl ketones. The triol metabolite, obtained from 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone, has been used in the synthesis of single enantiomer chiral phenols and benzylic alcohols. Potential applications of the methylether derivatives of the chiral phenols and benzylic alcohols, as resolving agents, have been found. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.