The Deracemization of Secondary Alcohols via a Chemo-Enzymatic Process

Optically pure secondary alcohols were efficiently prepared via a two-step, one-pot process involving a chemical oxidative agent in combination with an enantioselective ketone reducase Rhodotorula sp. AS2.2241 in tandem. The reaction proceeded successfully with 88~99.5% enantiomeric excess in moderate to good conversions. A variety of substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic alcohols, could be tolerated.