Commonly, hydrolase-catalysed reactions are used for kinetic resolutions of alcohols, amines and acids. Only a few applications in total syntheses have been described. Most of these examples are for the synthesis of amides and peptides. Here, the synthesis of all the different types of activated acids that can be applied in hydrolase-catalysed acylations is described. The application of these activated acids for both the formation of esters and amides is discussed and the different reactions are compared with the equivalent chemical reactions.