Baker's yeast-induced asymmetric reduction of the keto group activated by the cyclopropane unit

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)82103-5

Certain cis-3-substituted 2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-oxopropyl)-cyclopropanes are effectively reduced by baker's yeast to give predominantly (S)-isomers of the corresponding 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives. Reduction of the 2-oxopropyl group proceeds more rapidly (ca.