Asymmetric Reduction of Heteroaryl Methyl Ketones Using Daucus carota

Abstract

Asymmetric reduction of the heteroaryl prochiral ketones to corresponding chiral alcohols by Daucus carota was studied. The study highlights selective bioreduction of different substituted heteroaryl ketones (1a - 1j) to their respective chiral alcohols (2a - 2j) using plant dehydrogenase enzymes present in Daucus carota in good yields (60% - 95%) and enantioselectivity (76% - 99%) with S-form configuration. The results obtained confirm that the membrane bound dehydrogenase enzyme has broad substrate specificity and selectivity in catalyzing both six and five membered heteroaryl methyl ketones. The present methodology demonstrates promising and alternative green route in the synthesis secondary chiral alcohols of biologically importance in a simple, inexpensive and eco-friendly process.