Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-1-phenylethanol, a precursor to low-molecular-weight bioregulators

Abstract

A procedure has been proposed for the synthesis of (S)-(–)-1-phenylethanol, an important building block for the preparation of medicinal agents possessing antidiabetic, antidepressant, and antirabic activity, as well as of antifeedants and antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antifungal metabolites, by enantioselective bioreduction of acetophenone. Different exogenous reducing agents (propan-2-ol, ethanol, and glucose) were tried to improve the yield of the target product and its enantiomeric purity.