| abstract |
The enantioselective reduction of ketones of formula R3NHCHR1COCH2COOR2 (I) to give secondary alcohols of formula R3NHCHR1CHOHCH2COOR2 (II) effected using microorganisms. R1 = A, Ar, Ar-alkyl, Het, Het-alkyl, 3-7C cycloalkyl, 4-11C cycloalkylalkyl or 7-14C bicycloalkyl (these last 3 each opt. mono- or poly-substd. with A, AO and/or halogen; R2 = H or 1-5C alkyl; R3 = H, benzyl, triphenylmethyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, tert.-butyloxycarbonyl or 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl; Ar = Ph (opt. mono- or poly-substd. with A, AO, Hal, CF3, HO, hydroxy (1-8C)alkyl, NH2 or amino (1-8C)alkyl) or naphthyl; Het = opt. satd. 5-6 membered heterocycle contg. 1-4 N, O and/or S atoms which is opt. condensed with a benzene ring and/or mono-or poly-substd. with A, AO, Hal, CF3, OH, NO2, carbonyl oxygen, NH2, HAN, A2N, AcNH, AS, ASO, ASO2, AOOC, CN, H2NCO, COOH, H2NSO2, ASO2NH, Ar, Ar-alkenyl, hydroxy (1-8C)alkyl and/or amino (1-8C)alkyl, and in which the N and S heteroatoms are opt. oxidised; Hal = F, Cl, Br or I; AC = ACO, ArCO or ANHCO; A = 1-8C alkyl. |