Enantioselective CC bond reduction of unsaturated α-chloro esters by old yellow enzymes

The reduction of the CC double bond of some unsaturated α-chloro esters was investigated by means of cloned and overexpressed enoate reductases. The results were compared with those obtained by employing baker's yeast whole cells. The anti stereochemistry of hydrogen additions was confirmed by deuterium labeling experiments.

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► The reduction of the CC double bond of some unsaturated chloro esters was investigated by means of cloned and over-expressed enoate reductases.
► The results were compared with those obtained by employing baker's yeast whole cells.
► The anti stereochemistry of the hydrogen addition was confirmed by means of deuterium incorporation experiments.
► The real substrates of the biocatalysed reduction were identified to be the unsaturated chloro methyl esters, rather than the corresponding acids.