Enantioselective oxidation of 2-methyl-1-alkanols by alcohol oxidase from methylotrophic yeasts

The oxidation of several racemic 2-methyl-1-alkanols by the alcohol oxidase from Candida boidinii, Hansenula sp., Pichia pastoris, and Torulopsis methanothermo afforded reaction mixtures enriched in (R)-2-methyl-1-alkanol at incomplete conversions. The alcohol oxidase from C. boidinii exhibited the highest enantioselectivity, with the greatest enantiomeric excess obtained for (R)-2-methyl-1-pentanol (90.6 % ee at 76 % conversion; E = 4.8).