METHOD FOR THE ENANTIOSELECTIVE REDUCTION OF 8-CHLORO-6-OXO-OCTANOIC ACID ALKYL ESTERS

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the production of (R)- or (S)-8-chloro -6- hydroxyoctanoic acid alkyl esters of general formula (R)-II or (S)-II, where R = C1-4 alkyl, from 8-chloro-6-oxo-octanoic acid alkyl esters of general formula (I), where R has the above meaning. The production of the desired enantiomers is achieved biocatalytically by means of an enantioselective reaction, whereby the strains Mucor racemosus for (S)-II compounds and Geotrichum candidum for (R)-II compounds are used. The esters thus obtained can be sterospecifically converted to (R)-.alpha.-lipoic acid by conventiona l methodology.