ENANTIOSPECIFIC REDUCTION OF PROCHIRAL KETONES OF AROMATIC TYPE TO OPTICALLY-ACTIVE ALCOHOLS IN NIGROSPORA-ORYZAE CULTURE

The culture of Nigrospora oryzae reduces twelve prochiral ketones of h ome- and heteroaromatic type (acetophenone, 3- and 4-methylacetophenon e, 4-nitroacetophenone, propiophenone, 2-acetylnaphthalene, 2-acetylti ophene, 2- and 4-acetylpyridine, alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoroacetopheno ne, alpha-tetralone, 4-benzoylpyridine) enantiospecifically to corresp onding optically active alcohols. The enantiomer of S configuration is in nine cases predominant, R configuration was found in three alcohol s. The degree of chemical reduction determined in GC ranged from 20% t o almost 100%, while optical purity was from 5% to 100% ee. It is wort h noting that the same culture did not reduce 4-aminoacetophenone 2-ac etylpyrrole and 2-acetylindole.