Regio- and enantioselective reduction of diketones: preparation of enantiomerically pure hydroxy ketones catalysed by Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Abstract

Enantiomerically enriched hydroxy ketones were prepared by the reduction of the corresponding diketones with excellent enantiomeric excess (98%) and in good yields (up to 75%) using whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. Cyclic diketones, such as 1,2-cyclohexanedione and 1,4-cyclohexanedione, resulted in hydroxy ketones as products. Cyclohexane-1,3-dione and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione gave dimerised products, such as 2,2′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(3-hydroxycyclohex-2-enone) and 2,2′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone) with acetaldehyde generated in situ from whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330, which is reported here for the first time.