On the Mode of Baker's Yeast Reduction of Methyl Substituted Arylalkyl Gamma and Delta Keto Acids. Synthesis of Cis-(+)-Rose Oxide.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)88272-7

Baker's yeast reduction of methyl substituted γ- and δ-keto acids 1-6 proceeds in a mode depending upon subtle substrate modifications; it affords γ-lactones of modest ee and de values and highly functionalized, enantiomerically pure δ-lactones, such as 13 from which cis-(+)-rose oxide 23a has been prepared.