Synthesis of Both the Enantiomers of Phoracantholide I, A Defensive Secretion of the Eucarypt Longicorn (<i>Phoracantha synonyma</i>), Employing Microbial Asymmetric Reduction with Immobilized Baker’s Yeast

Abstract

Abstract Highly optically pure (R)- and (S)-phoracantholide I were synthesized in relatively short steps starting from diethyl 3-oxoglutarate by means of a microbial asymmetric reduction of the intermediate keto acid with immobilized baker’s yeast entrapped in gels of κ-carrageenan.