Abstract: The adhB gene encoding Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase (2.degree. Adh) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The 1056 bp gene encodes a homotetrameric recombinant enzyme consisting of 37.7 kDa subunits. The purified recombinant enzyme is optimally active above 90.degree. C. with a half-life of approximately 1.7 h at 90.degree. C. An NADP(H)-dependent enzyme, the recombinant 2.degree. Adh has 1400-fold greater catalytic efficiency in propan-2-ol versus ethanol oxidation. The enzyme was inactivated by chemical modification using dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) and diethylpyrocarbonate, indicating that Cys and His residues are involved in catalysis. Zinc was the only metal enhancing 2.degree. Adh reactivation after DTNB modification, implicating the involvement of a strongly bound zinc in catalysis. Arrhenius plots for the oxidation of propan-2-ol by the native and recombinant 2.degree. Adhs were linear from 25.degree. C. to 90.degree. C.