Enhancements of enantio and diastereoselectivities in reduction of (Z)-3-halo-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one mediated by microorganisms in ionic liquid/water biphasic system

Abstract Reductions of ( Z )-C 6 H 5 CH CXC( O)CH 3 (X = Cl, Br) mediated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Candida albicans , Rhodotorula glutinis , Geotrichum candidum and Micrococcus luteus gave the corresponding halohydrins through consecutive reduction reactions of C C and C O bonds. In general, the reactions performed in the biphasic system water/[(bmim)PF 6 ] gave better diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity than in pure water.