Enantioselective reduction of β-keto amides by the fungus Mortierella isabellina

Abstract

Incubations of the fungus Mortierella isabellina NRRL 1757 with 3-oxo-3-phenylpropanamide, 3-oxobutanamide and with some of their N-alkyl derivatives afford the corresponding (S)-3-hydroxyamides usually in high chemical yields and enantiomeric excesses.