Microbial Transformation of Prochiral Ketones Using Rhizopus arrhizus

The various species Of Rhizopus arrhizus have been used tor microbial transformations of p-chloro, p-methyl and p-methoxy propiophenone to synthesize corresponding enantiomerically pure (S) alcohols in 7090 % ee. In a screening of various species of Rhizopus arrhizus for enantioselective reduction of propiophenone derivatives,. Rhizopus arrhizus NCIM-878 showed high activity for reduction of above prochiral ketones and it efficiently hydrolyzes the racemic acetate of p-methoxy propiophenone to corresponding (R) alcohol.