Whole‐cell biocatalytic of Bacillus cereus WZZ006 strain to synthesis of indoxacarb intermediate: ( S )‐5‐Chloro‐1‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1 H ‐indene‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester

In this study, a newly isolated strain screened from the indoxacarb‐rich agricultural soils, Bacillus cereus WZZ006, has a high stereoselectivity to racemic substrate 5‐chloro‐1‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1 H ‐indene‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester. ( S )‐5‐chloro‐1‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1 H ‐indene‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester was obtained by bio‐enzymatic resolution. After the 36‐hour hydrolysis in 50‐mM racemic substrate under the optimized reaction conditions, the e.e . s was up to 93.0% and the conversion was nearly 53.0% with the E being 35.0. Therefore, B cereus WZZ006 performed high‐level ability to produce ( S )‐5‐chloro‐1‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1 H ‐indene‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester. This study demonstrates a new biocatalytic process route for preparing the indoxacarb chiral intermediates and provides a theoretical basis for the application of new insecticides in agricultural production.