Fungi mediated conversion of benzil to benzoin and hydrobenzoin

Demir A., Hamamci H., Ayhan P., Duygu A., Igdir A., Capanoglu D.

TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY, vol.15, no.16, pp.2579-2582, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 16
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2004.07.010
  • Journal Name: TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.2579-2582
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

An enzyme system of four fungi catalyses the reduction of benzil to benzoin, as well as benzoin to hydrobenzoin. Depending on the pH of the medium, both enantiomers of benzoin can be obtained in good yield and high ee starting from benzil via a reduction, as well as from rac-benzoin via a novel deracemization reaction. Starting from benzil, (R)-, (S)- and rac-benzoin only (R,R)-hydrobenzoin was obtained in high ee and chemical yield. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.