Chemistry Letters, Vol.29, No.8, 850-851, 2000
Asymmetric hydrogenation of the C-C double bond of enones with the reductases from Nicotiana tabacum
Three enone reductases, p44, p74, and p90, from the cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum catalyzed the asymmetric hydrogenation of the C-C double bond of enones. Reduction of 2-alkyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ones with the p44 reductase gave highly optically active (R)-2 -alkylcyclohexanones, whereas reaction with the p90 reductase gave (S)-2-alkylcyclohexanones. On the other hand, reduction of 2-alkylidenecyclohexanones with the p74 reductase gave (S)-2-alkylcyclohexanones.