Production of chiral aromatic alcohol by acetophenone and 1-arylethanol derivatives using vegetables

We have studied the biotransformation of acetophenone derivatives (1a-1f) and 1-arylethanol derivatives (2a-2e, 2g, 2h) using various vegetables. It is found that the reduction of acetophenone derivatives (1a-1f) using carrot (Ducus carota) gives (S)-1-arylethanols with high enantioselectivity. On the other hand, biooxidation of 1-arylethanols (2a-2e, 2g, 2h) using potato (Solanum tuberosum) is oxidized to give (R)-1-arylethanols as major product with high stereoselectivity. Carrot (D. carota) is the best catalyst for this reduction and shows a good reaction yield and enatioselectivity. On the other hand, it is found that the racemic alcohols are converted into the corresponding (R)-alcohols with high ee using Japanese potato (S. tuberosum) as catalyst. The availability of the enzymatic system using various vegetables is convenient and an eco-friendly system.