Asymmetric Reduction of α,α-Dichloro-β-Keto Esters by NADPH-Dependent Ketoreductases

An enzymatic approach for the asymmetric reduction of alpha,alpha-dichloro-beta-keto esters has been developed. With this highly efficient enzymatic method several enantiomerically pure (S)-alpha,alpha-dichloro-beta-hydroxy esters have been synthesized. These valuable chiral intermediates were produced in optically pure form (>99 % ee, >99 % conversion) by NADPH-dependent ketoreductase catalyzed reactions in a single synthetic step.

Automated summary

An enzymatic approach for the asymmetric reduction of alpha,alpha-dichloro-beta-keto esters has been developed, leading to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-alpha,alpha-dichloro-beta-hydroxy esters in a single step.