One-pot multi-enzymatic synthesis of the four stereoisomers of 4-methylheptan-3-ol

The use of pheromones in the integrated pest management of insects is currently considered a sustainable and environmentally benign alternative to hazardous insecticides. 4-Methylheptan-3-ol is an interesting example of an insect pheromone, because its stereoisomers are active towards different species. All four possible stereoisomers of this compd. were prepd. from 4-methylhept-4-en-3-one by a one-pot procedure in which the two stereogenic centers were created during two sequential redns. catalyzed by an ene-reductase (ER) and an alc. dehydrogenase (ADH), resp.