Stereochemistry of baker's yeast mediated reduction of α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones in the goniothalamin series

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(94)80139-8

Baker's yeast reduction of racemic α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones 5, 6 and 7 proceeds with kinetic preference for the (S) enantiomers. The procedure allows the obtainment of enantiomerically pure (+)-(R)-goniothalamin 5.