Biocatalytic deracemization of alkyl-2-hydroxy-4-arylbut-3-ynoates using whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Racemic alkyl-2-hydroxy-4-arylbut-3-ynoates were deracemized to the (S)-alkyl-2-hydroxy-4-arylbut-3-ynoates in excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to >99%) and good isolated yields (up to 81%) with the biocatalyst Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. The absolute configuration of the resulting enantiomer was assigned by 1H NMR using Mosher's method.