Asymmetric oxidation of substituted dithianes and dithiolanes by engineered yeast and E. coli expressing cyclohexanone monooxygenase

Abstract

2,2-Disubstituted 1,3-dithiolanes and dithianes can be oxidized to enantiomerically and diastereomerically pure or highly enriched monosulfoxides using engineered E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast). The fermentations in simple shake flasks can be easily carried out in conventional chemical laboratories. The substrate types suitable for these transformations are discussed. The asymmetric syntheses of two useful optically and diastereomerically pure dithiolane monosulfoxides are reported.