Synthesis of probes for the active site of leucine dehydrogenase

A series of novel 3-substituted 2-oxobutanoic acids were prepared and incubated with leucine dehydrogenase giving in one case both a kinetic resolution at C-3 and reductive amination of the ketone. This is the first example of an amino acid dehydrogenase catalysed kinetic resolution and reductive amination.