Microbial deracemisation of racemic N-(1-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl) benzamide to give the (R)- enantiomer is described using whole cells of Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 1384. The deracemisation involves fast highly (S)-selective oxidation followed by slower partially (S)- selective reduction of the intermediate ketone. The yield and ee of (R)-N-(1-hydroxy-1- phenylethyl) benzamide were optimised (82%, 98% ee) by removal of a competing ...
