摘要:
Certain cis-3-substituted 2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-oxopropyl)-cyclopropanes are effectively reduced by baker's yeast to give predominantly (s)-isomers of the corresponding 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives. Reduction of the 2-oxopropyl group proceeds more rapidly (ca. 3.5 times) and with higher stereoselectivity [(S):(R) = 98:2] when the group is attached to the (s)-carbon of the cyclopropane unit than of the keto group attached to the (R)-carbon [(S):(R) = (88):(12)]. Yeast reduction of the keto derivatives is effectively carried out when substituents at C-3 are as follows: CH2COOCH3, -CH2COCH3, -CN, -CH2CN, -CH2CH2OH, and the relative rates of reduction are 36:36:15:13:7. No reduction occurs when substituents at C-3 are propyl, 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl or 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl methyl groups.