Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of 6-Deoxy-D-Fructose and 6-Deoxy-L-Sorbose using Transketolase

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85343-6

A chemoenzymatic route to 6-deoxy (D-fructose 5b and L-sorbose 5a) is described.This method is based on conversion of racemic 2,3-dihydroxybutyraldehyde to 5a and 5b catalyzed by spinach leaves Transketolase.Only the (R,R) and (R,S) isomers of 2,3-dihydroxybutyraldehyde react, yielding 6-deoxy-D-fructose and 6-deoxy-L-sorbose.