Stereoselective anti-Prelog reduction of ketones by whole cells of Comamonas testosteroni in a 'substrate-coupled' approach

Lyophilized cells of the open accessible bacterium Comamonas testosteroni DSM 1455 Proved to be an excellent catalyst for the asymmetric reduction of different alpha-azido, alpha-bromo, and alpha-nitro ketones at elevated substrate concentrations (16 g/L) in a 'substrate-coupled' using 20% (v/v) of 2-propanol as hydrogen donor. Excellent anti-Prelog stereoselectivity was obtained, which is less common found in nature. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.