The kinetic resolution of racemic 2-phenylbutyryl chloride by sterically hindered chiral secondary alcohols has been evaluated. 2-Phenylbutyryl chloride reacts with 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride catalyzed by PdBr(Ph)(PPh3)2 to yield 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenyl-2-buten-1-one The kinetic resolution of racemic 2-phenylbutyryl chloride by sterically hindered chiral secondary alcohols has been evaluated. 2-Phenylbutyryl chloride reacts with 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride catalyzed by PdBr(Ph)(PPh3)2 to yield 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenyl-2-buten-1-one