The reduction of trifluoromethyl ketones containing a sulfur functionality by the crude alcohol dehydrogenase from Geotrichum proceeded successfully, and the corresponding optically active alcohols were synthesized with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
A method to prepare 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylidene)-1,3-dithiane monoxide has been developed, and its interesting reactivity under Pummerer-like conditions is disclosed. The products are useful synthetic intermediates for the synthesis of alpha-trifluoromethyl ketones.
SOLBERG, JAN;BENNECHE, TORE;UNDHEIM, KJELL, ACTA CHEM. SCAND., 43,(1989) N, C. 69-73