MICROBIOLOGICAL REDUCTION OF PROSTACYCLIN INTERMEDIATES WITH A 15-KETO GROUP

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the enantio-selective reduction of the 15-keto group in bicyclic proslaglandin intermediates to give 15.alpha.-hydroxy compounds of general formula (I) wherein X is oxygen or -CH2-, A is trans -CH=CH- or -C?C- B is oxygen, or ,where R3 is C1-4-alkyl, R1 is hydrogen, tetrahydropyanyl, benzoyl. tert-butyldimetHylsilyl or tert-butyldiphenylsilyl and characterised in that a ketone of general formula II (II) where A, B, X, R1 and R2 have the meanings given above, is treated with Candida Solani or Pichia farinosa and the corresponding 15-hydroxy prostaglandin intermediate is isolated.