ASYMMETRIC REDUCTION OF Z-3-CHLORO-3-ALKEN-2-ONES WITH FERMENTING BAKER'S YEAST

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)85052-2

Using fermenting baker's yeast, Z-RCH=CClCOCH3 (R=C2H5, n-C5H11, n-C8H17) was reduced initially to (S)-RCH2C^*HClCOCH3 in 44-84percent ee, which was further reduced to RCH2C^*HClC^*HOHCH3 in >98percent ee with the syn(2R,3S)/anti(2S,3R) ratios of 2.6-18.3.