Abstract: A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (VI): in which R2 is an optionally substituted C1–C6 alkyl; R4 is H, OH, an optionally substituted C1–C6 alkyl or an optionally substituted C1–C6 alkoxy; R5 is an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted alkyl; and R6 is H or an optionally substituted C1–C6 alkyl; the method including the step of subjecting a ketone of formula (V) in which R2, R4 and R5 are as defined above, to reductive amination with an amine of formula R3NH2 in which R3 is an optionally substituted alkyl, and a reductant to form the compound of formula (VI), wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a supercritical fluid or a liquefied gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted or unsubstituted carbinol compound, comprising the steps of subjecting the corresponding substituted or unsubstituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by yeast in the presence of either (a) a supereritical fluid or (b) a liquefied gas, and recovering the carbinol compound. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a particularly preferred embodiment the aromatic aldehyde is benzaldehyde and the carbinol is phenylacetylcarbinol, according to the reaction (I): in which the benzaldehyde, the pyruvic acid, or both may optionally be substituted.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (VI): in which R2 is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; R4 is H, OH, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl or an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkoxy; R5 is an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted alkyl; and R5 is H or an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; the method including the step of subjecting a ketone of formula (V) in which R2, R4 and R5 are as defined above, to reductive animation with an amine of formula R3NH2 in which R3 is an optionally substituted alkyl, and a reductant to form the compound of formula (VI), wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a supercritical fluid or a liquefied gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted or unsubstituted carbinol compound, comprising the steps of subjecting the corresponding substituted or unsubstituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by yeast in the presence of either (a) a supercritical fluid or (b) a liquefied gas, and recovering the carbinol compound. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a particularly preferred embodiment the aromatic aldehyde is benzaldehyde and the carbinol is pheny-lacetylcarbinol, according to the reaction (1): in which the benzaldehyde, the pyruvic acid, or both may optionally be substituted.