Easy Access to Enantiopure (S)- and (R)-Aryl Alkyl Alcohols by a Combination of Gold(III)-Catalyzed Alkyne Hydration and Enzymatic Reduction

Abstract

Chemoenzymatic one-pot processes based on the combination of metal catalysis and biocatalysis open up highly attractive perspectives regarding the production of enantiopure compounds. By combining a gold-catalyzed hydration reaction with an enzymatic reduction, we present a straightforward and atom-economical chemoenzymatic method for the synthesis of secondary alcohols with excellent optical purity. Efficient cofactor recycling exploits the solvent of the metal-catalyzed step as an auxiliary substrate for the enzymatic step.