Facile biocatalytic reduction of the carbon–carbon double bond of 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2,4-diones. Synthesis of (±)-5-(4-{2-[methyl(2-pyridyl)amino]ethoxy}benzyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (BRL 49653), its (R)-(+)-enantiomer and analogues

A novel biotransformation system for the reduction of carbon-carbon double bonds in 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2, 4-diones, to give the corresponding 5-benzylthiazolidine-2, 4-diones, using whole cells of red yeasts is described. These reduced compounds, which are recovered in good yield, are of potential use in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The mild reaction conditions developed allow reduction of 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2, 4-diones containing other functionalities which are not compatible with alternative reduction methods. The biocatalytic reduction is enantioselective and the synthesis of R-(+)-5-(4-{2-[methyl(2-pyridyl)amino]ethoxy}benzyl)thiazolidine-2, 4-dione by Rhodotorula rubra CBS 6469 and structure confirmation by X-ray crystallography is detailed. Optimisation of reaction conditions (including immobilisation) for these whole cell reduction systems is described.