Identification of key residues in Debaryomyces hansenii carbonyl reductase for highly productive preparation of (S)-aryl halohydrins.

Key residues of Debaryomyces hansenii carbonyl reductase in the determination of the reducing activity towards aryl haloketones were identified through combinatorial mutation of conserved residues. This study provides a green and efficient biocatalyst for the synthesis of (S)-aryl halohydrins.