An effective chemoenzymatic strategy was developed for (S)-duloxetine production.
Carbonyl reductase from Rhodosporidium toruloides was employed in the key step.
Cofactor regeneration was accomplished using RtSCR9 coupled glucose dehydrogenase.
Production of chiral intermediate (S)-3a with so far the highest substrate loading.
(S)-duloxetine was prepared in 60.2% yield from 2-acethylthiophene with >98.5% ee.