Regio- and enantioselective reduction of diketones: Preparation of enantiomerically pure hydroxy ketones catalysed by Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330

Enantiomerically enriched hydroxy ketones were prepared by the reduction of the corresponding diketones with excellent enantiomeric excess (98%) and in good yields (up to 75%) using whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. Cyclic diketones, such as 1,2-cyclohexanedione and 1,4-cyclohexanedione, resulted in hydroxy ketones as products. Cyclohexane-1,3-dione and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione gave dimerised products, such as 2,2′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(3-hydroxycyclohex-2-enone) and 2,2′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone) with acetaldehyde generated in situ from whole cells of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330, which is reported here for the first time.