title: Preparation of enantiopure ketones and alcohols containing a quaternary stereocenter through parallel kinetic resolution of beta-keto nitriles.
abstract: Racemic 1-methyl-2-oxocycloalkanecarbonitriles have been subjected to bioreduction by the fungus Mortierella isabellina NRRL 1757 through a parallel kinetic-resolution process. The u and l alcohols thus obtained (up to >99% ee) were easily separated and oxidized to the R and S ketones, respectively. The process can be then repeated so that both enantiomers of the ketone and two epimers of the alcohol can be obtained in their enantiopure forms.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Universidad de Oviedo, c/ Julián Clavería, 8. 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dehli
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gotor