Baker's yeast reduction of α-methyleneketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(01)00134-3

The bioreduction of α-methyleneketones, R¹C(=O)C(=CH₂)R² (R¹ = Me, Et, Pr, iso-Bu, Ph, CH₂CH₂Ph; R² = Cl, Me, Et, n-Pr, iso-Pr, n-Bu, n-C₆H₁₃, Ph, CH₂Ph), was mediated by baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to obtain the corresponding α-methylketones. The R¹ and R² groups had a significant influence on the rate and enantioselectivity of the reductions. The rate of C=C bond reduction was higher than that of C=O bond reduction. Only α-methyleneketones having R¹ = Me yielded α-methylketones in high enantioselectivity with e.e.s of 88-99%.