Multienzymatic preparation of (-)-[3-(oxiran-2-yl)phenyl]methanol and (-)-3-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoic acid

The cascade use of enzymatic activities allows for the preparation of enantiomerically pure epoxides. In particular, using whole-cell biocatalysts we can prepare both (-)-[3-(oxiran-2-yl)phenyl]methanol and (-)-3-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoic acid in one-pot, two or three steps procedure. The yield is quantitative and enantiomeric purity greater than 95%. The selected biocatalysts contain a styrene monoxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens ST and a naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase from P. fluorescens N3, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli.