On the baker's yeast mediated transformation of alpha-bromoenones. Synthesis of (1S, 2R)-2-bromoindan-1-ol and (2S, 3S)-3-bromo-4-phenylbutan-2-ol

Fermenting baker's yeast converts alpha-bromo substituted enones 7 and 10 into enantiomerically pure (1S,2R)2-bromoindan-1-ol 3 and (2S,3S)-3-bromo-4-phenylbutan-2-ol 11, respectively, through the intermediacy of the corresponding saturated ketones. Structurally related 16 provides the (2R)-allylic alcohol 17 prevalently.