An easy approach to the synthesis of optically active vic-diols: a new single -enzyme system

A novel method for the synthesis of chiral 1,2-diols is described. The scheme involves the reduction of the corresponding alpha-diketones with the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine nucleotide. The reaction is catalyzed by a diacetyl reductase from Bacillus stearothemophilus. The conditions and mechanisms for the reactions are presented.