Towards Biocatalytic Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols to Carbonyl Products of Relevance for Flavors and Fragrances

Abstract

Non-enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are rarely found in the biocatalysis portfolio. Generally, highly enantioselective ADHs are sought for. Using such ADHs for the oxidation of racemic alcohols generally results in a kinetic resolution of the starting material, which is unfavourable if the ketone represents the product of interest. In the current contribution we report the ADH from Sphingobium yanoikuyae (SyADH) as non-enantioselective ADH for the complete oxidation or rac-heptan-2-ol (representing further 2-alkanols).