Bioreduction of methyl heteroaryl and aryl heteroaryl ketones in high enantiomeric excess with newly isolated fungal strains

► Three newly isolated fungal strains including new species of Penicillium described. ► Heteroaryl ethanols and aryl heteroarylmethanols obtained in >99% ee; 80-92% yield. ► Intermediate of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor PNU142721 prepared in >99% ee. ► Enantiopure (S)-phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methanol, an analgesic obtained in 88% yield. ► Chiral building block (S,S)-2,6-bis(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridine obtained in >99% ee.