Process of asymmetrically reducing 1-phenyl-2-oxo-propane derivatives with microorganisms

摘要

An (S)-1-phenyl-2-substituted propane derivative shown by the following formula (I) (I) wherein R1 and R2 represent a lower alkyl group, etc., or R1 and R2 may form together an alkylene group, etc.; R3, R4 and R5 represent a hydrogen atom, etc.; and X represents a hydroxyl group which may be protected with a protective group, or a halogen atom etc., can readily be produced (i) by permitting a microorganism belonging to the genus Torulaspora, the genus Candida, the genus Pichia or the like to act on a phenylacetone derivative and asymmetrically reducing the compound, or (ii) by sterically inverting an (R)-enantiomer. (R,R)-1-phenyl-2-[(2-phenyl-1-methylethyl)amino]ethanol derivative having a high optical purity can easily be obtained from the compound of the formula (I). The ethanol derivative is useful as an anti-obesity agent and the like.