Microbial oxidation/amidation of benzhydrylsulfanyl acetic acid. Synthesis of (+)-modafinil

A highly enantioselective oxidation of benzhydrylsulfanyl acetic acid to the corresponding (S)-sulfinyl carboxylic acid was achieved employing the fungus Beauveria bassiana in very good yield. This product was amidated using the bacteria Bacillus subtilis to afford (S)-modafinil in good yield. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.