Highly stereoselective biocatalytic reduction of alpha-halo ketones

The use of recombinant carbonyl reductase biocatalysts for the reduction of alpha-halo ketone intermediates to their corresponding alpha-halo alcohols has been investigated. The alpha-halo alcohol is obtained in good yield from the corresponding ketone in a stereoselective manner.

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((1S,2R)-1-Benzyl-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl esterC15H22ClNO3De = 100%[α]D20=-40 (c 0.1, CHCl3)Source of chirality: asymmetric bioreductionAbsolute configuration: (1S,2R)