Benzoin and derivatives

In contrast to the large variety of aromatic, olefinic, and aliphatic aldehydes which can be used as donor substrates, wild-type BFD does not tolerate a modification of the methyl group of acetaldehyde in the case of aliphatic acceptor aldehydes. Apart from acetaldehyde, BFD shows activity with aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes as the acceptor substrate, forming enantiomerically pure (R)-benzoin and derivatives (Table 2.2.7.3, entries 6-8) [55]. 

Despite the deactivation, the BAL-catalyzed synthesis of benzoins and derivatives could be carried out in a two-phase system (see Fig. 3.1.8) [27] in a batch... 

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