Synthesis of (S)-3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol by permeabilized recombinant Escherichia coli harboring Saccharomyces cerevisiae YOL151W reductase in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran cosolvent system

2-methyltetrahydrofuran, an ecofriendly substitute for traditional organic solvents, was employed to construct cosolvent system for synthesis of (S)-3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol by permeabilized recombinant Escherichia coli containing the YOL151W reductase and Escherichia coli containing d-glucose dehydrogenase to regenerate NADPH. By optimization, 30 mM 3-chloro-1-phenyl-1-propanone could be efficiently converted to (S)-3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol with a yield of 98.6% and enantiomeric excess of more than 99.9% in 3% (v/v) of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 2% (v/v) of Triton X-100 and Tris-HCl buffer coslovent system. The application of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran has proved to be a promising cosolvent for asymmetric reduction of water-insoluble prochiral ketones.