Asymmetric reduction of aryl imines using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

A highly enantioselective one pot, novel biocatalytic method for the asymmetric reduction of aryl imines is reported. Treatment of aryl imines with Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 in aqueous medium produces the enantiomerically pure (R)-secondary amines in moderate to good yields (55–80%) with excellent enantiomeric excesses (95–>99%).

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(R)-N-(1-Phenylethyl)benzenamineC14H15NEe = 98%[α]D25=-11.4 (c 1.1, CHCl3)Source of chirality: biocatalytic asymmetric reductionAbsolute configuration: (R)

(R)-N-(1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethyl)benzenamineC15H17NOEe = 97%[α]D25=-3.97 (c 0.8, CHCl3)Source of chirality: biocatalytic asymmetric reductionAbsolute configuration: (R)

(R)-N-(1-(4-Chlorophenyl)ethyl)benzenamineC14H14ClNEe = 95%[α]D25=-11.9 (c 1.2, CHCl3)Source of chirality: biocatalytic asymmetric reductionAbsolute configuration: (R)