Several omega -bromoacetophenone derivatives 6a-f were reduced to (R)-(-)-2-bromo-1-(phenyl/substituted phenyl) ethanol derivatives 7a-f with whole cell biocatalysts in good yields. The enantiomeric excesses were increased to 95% using an anionic surfactant under an inert atmosphere in an aqueous medium. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.