Albumin-directed stereoselective reduction of 1,3-diketones and β-hydroxyketones to anti diols.

The reduction of 1,3-diketones and β-hydroxyketones with NaBH(4) in aqueous acetonitrile is highly stereoselective in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of bovine or human albumin, giving anti 1,3-diols with d.e. up to 96%.