Enzymatic reduction of α-substituted ketones with concomitant dynamic kinetic resolution

Abstract

Racemic α-substituted ketones were converted to the corresponding chiral alcohols with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities using enzymatic reduction with concomitant dynamic kinetic resolution. Reductions of N-protected α-amino ketones by microorganisms and commercial enzymes provided N-protected α-amino alcohols. Choice of buffer was found to be a crucial factor for the successful reduction and simultaneous dynamic resolution of an α-methyl ketone to the corresponding chiral alcohol.