Microbial Asymmetric Reduction. Preparation of Optically Active Methyl trans-3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)Glycidates

As a result of screening of microorganisms, Mucor ambiguus IFO 6742 was found to reduce methyl 2-chloro-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropionate (2) to give methyl (2S,3R)-2-chloro-3-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionate [(2S,3R)-3] in good yield with high enantioselectivity. The resulting (2S, 3R)-3 was converted into methyl (2S,3R)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidate [(2S,3R)-4] by treatment with sodium methoxide. On the other hand, its enantiomer, (2R,3S)-4 was obtained by the Mitsunobu esterification of (2S,3R)-3 and subsequent treatment with sodium methoxide. Also (2R,3S)-4 was obtained by the treatment of (2RS,3S)-3, which was obtained from 2 by Trichoderma viride OUT 4642, with sodium methoxide.