Enantioselective synthesis of hydroxy ketones through cleavage and formation of acyloin linkage. Enzymatic kinetic resolution via C-C bond cleavage

Both enantiomers of benzoins and (R)-2-hydroxy-1-phenylpropanone analogues were obtained in high yield on a preparative scale starting from aromatic aldehydes, rac-benzoins and aliphatic aldehydes via enzyme-catalysed C-C bond cleavage and C-C bond formation reactions.