Deracemization of sec-Alcohols through Sequential Application of C. albicans and Ketoreductases

A biocatalytic cascade process was developed using immobilized cells of the wild type yeast Candida albicans CCT 0776 in calcium alginate beads and a commercially available ketoreductase. The aim was to promote deracemization by stereoinversion of (±)-1-arylethanols in high substrate concentration (above 100 mmol L-1) to prepare the (R)-enantiomers of the alcohols (90-99%), with a high enantiomeric excess (83-99%) after 2 to 19 h. The (R)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethanol, with 70% yield and 91% ee, obtained after 5 h was used to prepare (S)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-ethylamine with 60% yield and 91% ee after two steps, a key intermediate in the synthesis of (S)-rivastigmine.