Abstract Only the keto group in position C-5 is reduced in the enzymatic reduction of 3, 5- dioxocarboxylates by the alcohol dehydrogenase of Lactobacillus brevis (LBADH; see scheme). The strategy of nature for manipulating β-keto metabolites inspired the development of a chemoenzymatic approach to virtually enantiopure 3, 5- dihydroxycarboxylate building blocks. The crucial enzymatic step can be performed on an ...
