Biotransformation of sulfides by Rhodocoeccus erythropolis

A version of Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8 BKO-53, designed as a model system for the biodesulfurization of crude oil with a high conversion activity of dibenzothiophenes to the corresponding sulfoxides has been used for oxidation of a large number of simple sulfides. A large variety of sulfides were converted to chiral sulfoxides in good yield. Sulfoxide stereoisomers were generally formed as (R) configuration in moderate stereochemical purity, but the sulfoxide diasteromers of methionine amino acid derivatives were produced at >90% optical purity.