Asymmetric Reduction of β-Keto Esters with an Enzyme from Bakers' Yeast

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.67.524

Various β-keto esters have been reduced by one of β-keto ester reductases isolated from bakers' yeast.The corresponding β-hydroxy esters have been obtained in excellent enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses, respectively.It has also ben elucidated that the reductase recognizes the stereochemistry not only at the β-carbon but also at the α-carbon affording one of the four possible diastereoisomers of α-substituted β-hydroxy esters predominantly.The stereoselectivity is excellent and chemical yields are moderate to good.