Synthesis of Both the Enantiomers of Phoracantholide I; A Defensive Secretion of the Eucarypt Longicorn (Phoracantha synonyma), Employing Microbial Asymmetric Reduction with Immobilized Baker's Yeast

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.62.608

Highly optically pure (R)- and (S)-phoracantholide I were synthesized in relatively short steps starting from diethyl 3-oxoglutarate by means of a microbial asymmetric reduction of the intermediate keto acid with immobilized baker's yeast entrapped in gels of κ-carrageenan.