The bioreduction of 2-benzoylpyridine (1a) with Rhizopus arrhizus affo
rded (S)-(+)-alpha-phenyl-2-pyridylmethanol (2a) in 82% enantiomeric e
xcess (e. e.) while the asymmetric hydrolysis of its racemic acetate r
esulted in the antipode (R)-(-)-2a with 24% optical purity.