Microbial reduction of α,α,α-trifluoro-α′-sulfenylketones

Several microorganisms have been employed in the reduction of two α,α,α-trifluoro-α′-sulfenylketones. Some of them produce corresponding alcohols in high diastero- and enantioselection, the high conversion in a single enantiomer being secured by the racemization of starting ketones in the biotransformation conditions. Transformation of obtained sulfenyl-trifluoromethyl-alcohols into trifluoromethyl-epoxides is also described.