Process development for the electroenzymatic synthesis of ( R )‐methylphenylsulfoxide by use of a 3‐dimensional electrode

The electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide via reduction of dissolved oxygen was carried out in a three‐dimensional electrochemical cell using graphite grains as cathode material and combined with the enantioselective oxidation of thioanisole to ( R )‐methylphenylsulfoxide catalyzed by Chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago . The relevant parameters for process development (e.g., conductivity of the biotransformation medium) were identified and optimized, leading to an efficient electroenzymatic process with a space‐time yield of 104 g · L −1  · d −1 . The isolated product was produced on gram scale (1.2 g, purity >98%, ee  > 98.5%). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 525–534. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.