Enzyme catalyzed hydroxymethylation of aromatic aldehydes with formaldehyde.: Synthesis of hydroxyacetophenones and (S)-benzoins

Benzaldehyde lyase from the Pseudomonas Fluorescens catalyzed reaction of aromatic aldehydes with formaldehyde providing 2-hydroxy-1-arylethan-1-one in high yields via an acyloin linkage. Kinetic resolution of rac-benzoins with formaldehyde providing (S)-benzoins and 2-hydroxy-1-arylethan-1-one via C-C bond cleavage and a bond formation reaction. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.