Asymmetric oxidoreductions catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase in organic solvents

A methodology is developed for the use of alcohol dehydrogenase (and other NAD/sup +//NADH-dependent enzymes) as catalysts in organic solvents. The enzyme and the cofactor are deposited onto the surface of glass beads which are then suspended in a water-immiscible organic solvent containing the substrate. Both NADH and NAD/sup +/ are efficiently regenerated in such a system with alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidation of ethanol and reduction of isobutyraldehyde, respectively; cofactor turnover numbers of 10/sup 5/ to greater than 10/sup 6/ have been obtained. With use of asymmetric oxidoreductions catalyzed by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase in isopropyl ether, optically active (ee of 95 to 100%) alcohols and ketones have been prepared on a 1 to 10 mmol scale.