Stereospecific Reductions with Hydrogen Gas, Modified Metal Catalysts, Methyl Viologen and Enzymes or Microorganisms

The coupling of reductases and microorganisms for bioreductions on hydrogen gas has been accomplished with the system mentioned in the title. Decisive for this is the modification of palladium, platinum, and Raney nickel with a commercially available fluorine‐containing surfactant. 2‐Enoates and 2‐oxo‐carboxylates are reduced highly enantioselectively. The reduction systems are especially simple, and the greater expense involved in electrochemical reductions is circumvented.