Reaction: (R)-benzoin + NADP+ = benzil + NADPH + H+
Glossary: (R)-benzoin = (2R)-2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone
benzil = 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione
Systematic name: (R)-benzoin:NADP+ oxidoreductase
Comments: The enzyme from the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae is able to reduce enantioselectively only one of the two carbonyl groups of benzil to give optically active (R)-benzoin.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Konishi, J., Ohta, H. and Tuchihashi, G. Asymmetric reduction of benzil to benzoin catalyzed by the enzyme system of a microorganism. Chem. Lett. 14 (1985) 1111-1112.