Reduction of phenylalkyl ketones to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy derivatives using mucor hiemalis IFO 5834

A process for reducing a phenylalkyl ketone to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy derivative, which comprises contacting said phenylalkyl ketone with Mucor hiemalis IFO 5834 and recovering said (S)-hydroxy derivative, wherein said phenylalkyl ketone has the formula:

• ##STR7## and said (S)-hydroxy derivative has the formula:
• ##STR8## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, COR.sup.5 or C(R.sup.6).sub.2 --O--R.sup.7 ;
• or a radical of the formula:
• ##STR9## R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, COR.sup.5 or C(R.sup.6).sub.2 --O--R.sup.7 ;
• R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen or halogen;
• and
• R.sup.5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.6 is lower alkyl;
• and
• R.sup.7 is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group.
• A is --CH.dbd.CH--S-- or --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH--;
• n is 1 to 3.