Abstract: A screening of various orthosubstituted 2-oxopropylbenzene derivatives with carbonyl reductases and alcohol dehydrogenases, respectively, revealed that compounds containing ortho-substituents with only little steric demand are feasible substrates.(S)-8-O- Methylmellein (1) was synthesized by stereoselective enzymatic reduction of 2-methoxy-6-(2- oxopropyl) benzonitrile (5i) with Candida parapsilosis carbonyl reductase as the key step, ...
