ENANTIOTOPICALLY SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF 1,3-DIOLS WITH A MICROORGANISM

Abstract
Microbial oxidation of 2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (1a) proceeded with distinction of pro-(R) and pro-(S) hydroxymethyl groups resulting in the formation of β-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2a) of high optical purity. 2-Ethyl and 2-isopropyl derivatives (1b, c) were also oxidized to give the corresponding hydroxy acids (2b, c), but the optical yields were low.