Combined microbial oxidation and reduction: A new approach to the high-yield synthesis of homochiral unsaturated secondary alcohols from racemates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(95)00402-5

The oxidation of racemic secondary alcohols with Bacillus stearothermophilus followed by reduction of the mixture with Yarrowia lipolytica to afford high yields of the enantiomerically pure R-alcohols 1a,b,d is described. Comparisons with Yarrowia lipolytica reduction, Bacillus stearothermophilus oxidation, and the contemporary use of the two microorganisms have been made.