Biocatalyzed synthesis of both enantiopure fluoromisonidazole antipodes

Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO or F-MISO) is a radiotracer for positron emission tomography when 18F-labeled and is administrated in its racemic form. Herein, a straightforward synthesis of both enantiopure antipodes is proposed through a one-pot two-step microwave protocol to obtain a fluorinated ketone precursor followed by bioreduction using alcohol dehydrogenases from Rhodococcus ruber (ADH-A) or Lactobacillus brevis (LBADH).