Preparation of chiral organochalcogeno-α-methylbenzyl alcohols via biocatalysis. The role of Daucus carota root

A series of organochalcogeno acetophenones 3 has been submitted to the action of enzymes from Daucus carota root. Some of the chalcogeno ketones tested afforded the chiral organochalcogeno-α-methylbenzyl alcohols 4 in excellent enantiomeric excesses (>99%), under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. The stereoselectivity of the reduction is in accordance with Prelog’s rule. Enzymatic kinetic resolution as alternative process was used to obtain the chiral ortho-organochalcogeno-α-methylbenzyl alcohols in excellent enantiomeric excess (>99%).