The Use of Microorganisms in Oraganic Synthesis. V. Microbiological Asymmetric Reduction of Methyl 2-Methyl-3-(2-thienyl)-3-oxopropionate

Abstract

Microbiological asymmetric reduction of methyl 2-methyl-3-(2-thienyl)-3-oxopropionate (3) by various yeasts was carried out. When Kloeckera saturnus was used, the C₃-(S)-alcohols 4c and 4d were obtained, whereas other yeasts such as Lipomyces starkeyi, Saccharomyces fermentati, and Sporobolomyces salmonicolor produced the isomeric C₃-(R)-alcohols 4a and 4b. On the other hand, when Endomycopsis fibligera, Hansenula anomala, and Candida albicans were used, the C₂-(S)-reduction products 4b and 4c were obtained.