Enantioselective kinetic resolution of 3-phenyl-2-ketones using Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases

Abstract The enantioselective kinetic resolution of two 3-phenyl-2-ketones using four different Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMO) expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli was studied. The highest enantioselectivity ( E  = 82) was achieved for 3-phenyl-2-butanone using a BVMO originating from Pseudomonas fluorescens . A BVMO from Pseudomonas putida showed an opposite ( R )-enantiopreference and E  = 12.