Kinetic Resolution of 4‐Hydroxy‐2‐ketones Catalyzed by a Baeyer–Villiger Monooxygenase

Abstract

Two with one stroke: The kinetic resolution of racemic 4-hydroxy-2-ketones catalyzed by Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) afforded not only the unreacted enantiomer in good optical purity but also allows access to optically active 1,2-diols (see scheme). Thus, this enzymatic approach provides a range of products in a single reaction accessible otherwise only from reactions with ketoreductases and hydrolases.