Yeast-based process for production of l-pac
US6271008A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/942
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to yeast-mediated catalysis in organic solvents, and in particular the yeast-mediated condensation between pyruvate and a substituted aromatic aldehyde to yield the corresponding acyloin (hydroxy ketone) compound. The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted carbinol compound, comprising the step of subjecting the corresponding substituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by a yeast in an organic solvent under non-fermenting conditions. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction is that between pyruvate and benzaldehyde to yield phenylacetylcarbinol, the precursor to ephedrine, to yield a product of high enantiomeric purity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.