Biotransformations with Rhizopus arrhizus: Preparation of the enantiomers of 1-phenylethanol and 1-(o-, m- and p-methoxyphenyl)ethanols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(95)00304-8

The fungus Rhizopus arrhizus has been used for the reduction of acetophenone and its o-, m- and p-methoxy derivatives 1a-d to the corresponding (S)-(-)-alcohols. Their racemic acetates were also hydrolyzed to (R)-(+)-alcohols. The analysis of products revealed that maximum enantioselectivity (78-88% ee) could be obtained using m-methoxy acetophenone as substrate.