Baker's yeast mediated enantiospecific synthesis of anti-(2R,3R)-p-chloro-3-hydroxytyrosine: An α-amino-β-hydroxy acid of vancomycin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(97)00603-4

Baker's yeast mediated reduction of α-azido-β-keto ester lead to reduction of the carbonyl group with high enantiospecificity and diastereoselectivity at low pH (4.0, e.e. >99%, d.e. 79%). At pH ~7, although the enantioselectivity is maintained, the diastereoselectivity is lost.