Whole-cell yeast-mediated preparation of (R)-2-chloro-1-(3-nitrophenyl) ethanol as a synthetic precursor for (R)-phenylephrine

Daisuke Tokoshima, Kengo Hanaya, Mitsuru Shoji, Takeshi Sugai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The incubated whole-cell biocatalyst of Pichia minuta JCM 3622 reduced 2-chloro-1-(3-nitrophenyl)ethanone to provide (R)-2-chloro-1-(3-nitrophenyl) ethanol with 99.2% ee in 87% isolated yield in the presence of Amberlite XAD-7 as a reservoir for the hydrophobic, crystalline and toxic substrate. The product was transformed to (R)-1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylaminoethanol (phenylephrine, 1a), a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, in 98.0% ee over five steps.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-99
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic
Volume97
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Reduction
  • Whole-cell biocatalyst
  • Yeast
  • α-Chloroarylethanone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Bioengineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Process Chemistry and Technology

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