Enantioselective reduction of 2-substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ones using Daucus carota plant cells

Enzymatic reduction of 2-substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ones with Daucus carota, plant cells as biocatalyst occurred in water under extremely mild and environmentally benign conditions giving a 1:1 mixture of diastereoselectively (2R,4S)- and (2S,4S)-2-aryl- or 2-alkyl-tetrahydropyranols in high yields.