Stereoselective synthesis of aryl γ,δ-unsaturated β-hydroxyesters by ketoreductases

•The enzymatic reduction of aryl γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoesters to alcohols was evaluated.•Both enantiomers of the alcohol were synthesized in >99% ee.•The products are easily isolated and purified.•The reactions are scalable with high optical purity and good yield.

The biocatalytic reduction of aryl γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoesters was evaluated utilizing 24 different commercially available ketoreductases. In all cases, both (R) and (S)-enantiomers of γ,δ-unsaturated β-hydroxyesters were synthesized by one or more ketoreductases in excellent optical purity and yields.

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