Daucus carota L. mediated bioreduction of prochiral ketones

Stereoselective reductions of ketones to secondary alcohols are of the utmost importance in organic synthesis. Very high selectivities are observed with traditional reducing agents, mainly based on boron or transition metals, complexed with chiral ligands. Bioreductions mediated by intact cells from cut plants, vegetables and fruits are attractive alternatives and could facilitate transition towards a more biobased economy. This emerging area highlights the recent results obtained in the aqueous bioreduction of prochiral ketones using carrot roots. The applications of this methodology to asymmetric protonation, dynamic kinetic resolution and the synthesis of biologically relevant targets are presented.