Enoate Reductase-Mediated Preparation of Methyl (S)-2-Bromobutanoate, a Useful Key Intermediate for the Synthesis of Chiral Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Enoate reductases belonging to the Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) family were employed to develop a biocatalysed approach to methyl (S)-2-bromobutanoate, a key intermediate for the introduction of a particular stereogenic unit into the molecular skeleton of a certain class of chiral drugs. Methyl (Z)-2-bromocrotonate afforded, respectively, (S)-2-bromobutanoic acid (ee = 97%) and methyl (S)-2-bromobutanoate (ee = 97%) by baker's yeast fermentation and by OYE1-3 biotransformations. The bioreductions of other methyl 2-haloalkenoates were also considered. It was observed that the (Z)- and (E)-diastereoisomers of alpha-bromo unsaturated esters afforded the same enantiomer of the corresponding reduced product.