Biocatalytic preparation of optically active 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridines for application in chemical asymmetric catalysis

4-Chloro-2-(1-hydroxybenzyl)pyridine and 4-chloro-2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)pyridines were obtained with moderate to excellent enantiomeric excesses and high isolated yields by bioreduction with Baker's yeast of the corresponding ketones. The resulting optically active alcohols were transformed into adequate DMAP derivatives, which have been applied in asymmetric catalytic processes as nucleophilic catalysts in the stereoselective chemical alkoxycarbonylation of 1-phenylethanol or as chiral ligands in the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.