Decarboxylative incorporation of α-oxobutyrate and α-oxovalerate into (R)-α-hydroxyethyl- and n-propyl ketones on reaction with aromatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in Baker's yeast

Abstract

Decarboxylative incorporation of linear C₃, C₄, and C₅α-oxo acids into (R)α-hydroxy ketones (2), (9) and (10) is observed when benzaldehyde (1) is incubated with baker's yeast; α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (11) and (15) with the C₃ and C₄ acids yield (R)-α-hydroxy methyl and ethyl ketones (16), (20), (19), and (21).