Green synthesis of enantiopure (S)‐1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanol by whole‐cell biocatalyst

Optically active aromatic alcohols are valuable chiral building blocks of many natural products and chiral drugs. Lactobacillus paracasei BD87E6, which was isolated from a cereal‐based fermented beverage, was shown as a biocatalyst for the bioreduction of 1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl) ethanone to (S)‐1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl) ethanol with highly stereoselectivity. The bioreduction conditions were optimized using L. paracasei BD87E6 to obtain high enantiomeric excess (ee) and conversion. After optimization of the bioreduction conditions, it was shown that the bioreduction of 1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanone was performed in mild reaction conditions. The asymmetric bioreduction of the 1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanone had reached 92% yield with ee of higher than 99.9% at 6.73 g of substrate. Our study gave the first example for enantiopure production of (S)‐1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanol by a biological green method. This process is also scalable and has potential in application. In this study, a basic and novel whole‐cell mediated biocatalytic method was performed for the enantiopure production of (S)‐1‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanol in the aqueous medium, which empowered the synthesis of a precious chiral intermediary process to be converted into a sophisticated molecule for drug production.     

One‐pot synthesis of (R)‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate using tandem catalyst prepared by co‐immobilization of palladium and lipase on mesoporous foam: Optimization and kinetic modeling

The synthesis of (R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate was achieved over tandem palladium‐lipase catalyst with 100% selectivity using 4‐acetyl pyridine as a reactant. The 2% w /w palladium and lipase catalyst was successfully co‐immobilized in the microenvironment of the mesocellular foam and characterized by various techniques. The palladium metal from catalyst hydrogenated 4‐acetyl pyridine to form 1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethanol. The generated intermediate product then underwent kinetic resolution over lipase and selectively gave (R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐ yl)ethyl acetate. The catalytic conditions were then studied for optimal performance of both steps. The reaction conditions were optimized to 50 °C and toluene as a solvent. Both chemical and enzymatic kinetic models of the reaction were developed for a given set of reaction conditions and kinetic parameters were predicted. At optimal conditions, the obtained selectivity of intermediate (1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethanol) was 51.38%. The final product yield of ((R )‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethyl acetate) was 48.62%.     

The determination of enantiomer composition of 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)‐(phenyl)methyl) amine and 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)‐methyl) urea (Galodif) by NMR spectroscopy,chiral HPLC,and polarimetry

For the first time, a method for enantiomer resolution of the anticonvulsant Galodif (1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) urea) by chiral HPLC was developed, whereas the enantiomeric composition of 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) amine—precursor in Galodif synthesis—cannot be resolved by this method. However, starting 1‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl) amine quantitatively forms diastereomeric N‐((3‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl)‐1‐camphorsulfonamides in reaction with chiral (1R)‐(+)‐ or (1S)‐(?)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonyl chlorides. The diastereomeric ratio of obtained camphorsulfonamides can be easily determined by NMR ¹H and ¹³C spectroscopy. The DFT calculations of specific rotation of Galodif enantiomers showed good agreement with experimental data. The absolute configuration of enantiomers was proposed for the first time.     

Enantioselective liquid‐liquid extraction of 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers using (S,S)‐DIOP as extractant

(S,S)‐DIOP, a common catalyst used in asymmetric reaction, was adopted as chiral extractant to separate 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers in liquid‐liquid extraction. The factors affecting extraction efficiency were studied, including metal precursors, organic solvents, extraction temperature, chiral extractant concentration, and pH of aqueous phase. (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd exhibited good ability to recognize 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers, and the operational enantioselectivity (α) is 1.836. The highest performance factor (pf) was obtained under the condition of extraction temperature of 9.1°C, (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd concentration of 1.7 mmol/L, and pH of aqueous phase of 7.0. In addition, the possible recognition mechanism of (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd towards 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers was discussed.     

Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure (S)‐(−)‐1‐(1′‐naphthyl)‐ethanol by the Fungus Alternaria alternata

(S)‐(?)‐1‐(1′‐napthyl)‐ethanol (S‐NE) is an important intermediate for the preparation of mevinic acid analogs, which is used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The objectives of the study were to isolate a microorganism that could effectively reduce 1‐acetonaphthone (1‐ACN) to S‐NE, to determine the influence that the physicochemical parameters would have on the reduction by the isolated microorganism, and to attempt large‐scale studies with the microorganism. Over the years fungi have been considered a promising biocatalyst and it has been presumed that many fungal species have not been isolated and therefore the current study focused on possible isolation of these microorganisms. A total of 72 fungal isolates were screened for their ability to reduce 1‐ACN to its corresponding alcohol. The isolate, EBK‐62, identified as Alternaria alternata, was found to be the most successful at reducing the ketone to the corresponding alcohol in the submerged culture. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized for the reducing agent A. alternata EBK‐62, which showed high stereospecificity and good conversion for the reduction. The preparative scale study was carried out in a 2 L bioreactor and a total of 4.9 g of S‐NE in optically pure form (>99% enantiomeric excess) was produced in 48 h. Chirality 28:669–673, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enzyme identification and development of a whole-cell biotransformation for asymmetric reduction of o-chloroacetophenone

Chiral 1‐(o‐chlorophenyl)‐ethanols are key intermediates in the synthesis of chemotherapeutic substances. Enantioselective reduction of o‐chloroacetophenone is a preferred method of production but well investigated chemo‐ and biocatalysts for this transformation are currently lacking. Based on the discovery that Candida tenuis xylose reductase converts o‐chloroacetophenone with useful specificity (k_cat/K_m = 340 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and perfect S‐stereoselectivity, we developed whole‐cell catalysts from Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae co‐expressing recombinant reductase and a suitable system for recycling of NADH. E. coli surpassed S. cerevisiae sixfold concerning catalytic productivity (3 mmol/g dry cells/h) and total turnover number (1.5 mmol substrate/g dry cells). o‐Chloroacetophenone was unexpectedly “toxic,” and catalyst half‐life times of only 20 min (E. coli) and 30 min (S. cerevisiae) in the presence of 100 mM substrate restricted the time of batch processing to maximally ∼5 h. Systematic reaction optimization was used to enhance the product yield (≤60%) of E. coli catalyzed conversion of 100 mM o‐chloroacetophenone which was clearly limited by catalyst instability. Supplementation of external NAD⁺ (0.5 mM) to cells permeabilized with polymyxin B sulfate (0.14 mM) resulted in complete conversion providing 98 mM S‐1‐(o‐chlorophenyl)‐ethanol. The strategies considered for optimization of reduction rate should be generally useful, however, especially under process conditions that promote fast loss of catalyst activity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:797–803. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of (±)‐1‐(2‐Furyl) Ethanol in Nonaqueous Media

S‐1‐(2‐Furyl) ethanol serves as an important chiral building block for the preparation of various natural products, fine chemicals, and is widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In this work, lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution of (R/S)‐1‐(2‐furyl) ethanol using different acyl donors was investigated. Vinyl esters are good acyl donors vis‐à‐vis alkyl esters for kinetic resolution. Among them, vinyl acetate was found to be the best acyl donor. Different immobilized lipases such as Rhizomucor miehei lipase, Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase, and Candida antarctica lipase B were evaluated for this reaction, among which C. antarctica lipase B, immobilized on acrylic resin (Novozym 435), was found to be the best catalyst in n‐heptane as solvent. The effect of various parameters was studied in a systematic manner. Maximum conversion of 47% and enantiomeric excess of the substrate (ee_s) of 89% were obtained in 2 h using 5 mg of enzyme loading with an equimolar ratio of alcohol to vinyl acetate at 60°C at a speed of 300 rpm in a batch reactor. From the analysis of progress curve and initial rate data, it was concluded that the reaction followed the ordered bi–bi mechanism with dead‐end ester inhibition. Kinetic parameters were obtained by using nonlinear regression. This process is more economical, green, and easily scalable than the chemical processes. Chirality 26:286–292, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Biocatalytic Approach for the Synthesis of Enantiopure Acebutolol as a β1‐Selective Blocker

A new chemoenzymatic route is reported to synthesize acebutolol, a selective β₁ adrenergic receptor blocking agent in enantiopure (R and S) forms. The enzymatic kinetic resolution strategy was used to synthesize enantiopure intermediates (R)‐ and (S)‐N‐(3‐acetyl‐4‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)butyramide from the corresponding racemic alcohols. The results showed that out of eleven commercially available lipase preparations, two enzyme preparations (Lipase A, Candida antarctica, CLEA [CAL CLEA] and Candida rugosa lipase, 62316 [CRL 62316]) act in enantioselective manner. Under optimized conditions the enantiomeric excess of both (R)‐ and (S)‐N‐(3‐acetyl‐4‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)butyramide were 99.9 and 96.8%, respectively. N‐alkylation of both the (R) and (S) intermediates with isopropylamine gave enantiomerically pure (R and S)‐ acebutolol with a yield 68 and 72%, respectively. This study suggests a high yielding, easy and environmentally green approach to synthesize enantiopure acebutolol. Chirality 27:382–391, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Polymer‐Supported Optically Active fac(S)‐Tris(thiotato)rhodium(III) Complex for Sulfur‐Bridging Reaction With Precious Metal Ions

The optically active mixed‐ligand fac(S)‐tris(thiolato)rhodium(III) complexes, Δ_L‐fac(S)‐[Rh(aet)₂(L‐cys‐N,S)]^? (aet = 2‐aminoethanethiolate, L‐cys = L‐cysteinate) ( 1 ) and Δ_LL‐fac(S)‐[Rh(aet)(L‐cys‐N,S)₂]^2? were newly prepared by the equatorial preference of the carboxyl group in the coordinated L‐cys ligand. The amide formation reaction of 1 with 1,10‐diaminodecane and polyallylamine gave the diamine‐bridged dinuclear Rh(III) complex and the single‐chain polymer‐supported Rh(III) complex with retention of the Δ_L configuration of 1 , respectively. These Rh(III) complexes reacted with Co(III) or Co(II) to give the linear‐type trinuclear structure with the S‐bridged Co(III) center and the two Δ‐Rh(III) terminal moieties. The polymer‐supported Rh(III) complex was applied not only to the CD spectropolarimetric detection and determination of a trace of precious metal ions such as Au(III), Pt(II), and Pd(II) but also to concentration and extraction of these metal ions into the solid polymer phase. Chirality 28:85–91, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An improved synthesis of (2S, 4S)‐ and (2S, 4R)‐2‐amino‐4‐methyldecanoic acids: assignment of the stereochemistry of culicinins

An improved synthesis of (2S, 4S)‐ and (2S, 4R)‐2‐amino‐4‐methyldecanoic acids was accomplished using a glutamate derivative as starting material and Evans' asymmetric alkylation as the decisive step. The NMR data of the two diastereomers were measured and compared with those of the natural product. As a result, the stereochemistry of this novel amino acid unit in culicinins was assigned as (2S, 4R). Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enantiopure 4‐oxazolin‐2‐ones and 4‐methylene‐2‐oxazolidinones as chiral building blocks in a divergent asymmetric synthesis of heterocycles

Enantiopure 3‐((R)‐ and 3‐((S)‐1‐phenylethyl)‐4‐oxazoline‐2‐ones were evaluated as chiral building blocks for the divergent construction of heterocycles with stereogenic quaternary centers. The N‐(R)‐ or N‐(S)‐1‐phenylethyl group of these compounds proved to be an efficient chiral auxiliary for the asymmetric induction of the 4‐ and 5‐positions of the 4‐oxazolin‐2‐one ring through thermal and MW‐promoted nucleophilic conjugated addition to Michael acceptors and alkyl halides. The resulting adducts were transformed via a cascade process into fused six‐membered carbo‐ and heterocycles. The structure of the reaction products depended on the electrophiles and reaction conditions used. Alternative isomeric 4‐methylene‐2‐oxazolidinones served as chiral precursors for a versatile and divergent approach to highly substituted cyclic carbamates. DFT quantum calculations showed that the formation of bicyclic pyranyl compounds was generated by a diastereoselective concerted hetero‐Diels‐Alder cycloaddition.     

Field evaluation on the synergistic attractiveness of 2‐(1‐undecyloxy)‐1‐ethanol and ipsenol to Monochamus saltuarius

To develop an optimal attractant for Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the synergistic effects of a few potential attractants (ethanol and α‐pinene as host‐plant volatiles, and ipsenol and ipsdienol as bark beetle pheromones) were tested in a pine forest combined with 2‐(1‐undecyloxy)‐1‐ethanol (monochamol), the aggregation pheromone of Monochamus species, for two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015. Total number of catches was 65 and 33 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Ethanol or ethanol + monochamol (a base blend) were not attractive to M. saltuarius with no difference from the control. Addition of α‐pinene and ipsdienol to the base blend did not significantly increase catches. However, ipsenol was significantly synergistic to the base blend in attracting M. saltuarius in 2014, and the blend (ipsenol + base blend) attracted meaningfully higher numbers of M. saltuarius in 2015. Our study illustrates the potential for monochamol and ipsenol baits for monitoring and trapping of M. saltuarius in the field.     

HPLC‐PDA‐ORD Bioassay of S‐(+) and R‐(−) Clopidogrel on Rat Dried Blood Spots

A simple and rapid chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for bioanalysis of clopidogrel enantiomers on rat dried blood spots (DBS). Clopidogrel enantiomers were extracted from DBS using ethanol: methanol (80:20, v/v) and separated on a Chiralcel OJ‐H column containing cellulose tris (4‐methly benzoate) as a polysaccharide stationary phase using n‐hexane–ethanol‐diethylamine (70:30, 0.1 v/v) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection was carried out at 220 nm using a photodiode array (PDA) detector while the elution order of the enantiomers was determined by a polarimeter connected to PDA in series. The effect of hematocrit on extraction of clopidogrel enantiomers from DBS was evaluated and no interference from endogenous substances was noticed. The overall accuracy of (R) and (S) enantiomers of clopidogrel from DBS were 91.6 and 89.2%, respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 1–500 µg/mL for both enantiomers. The results show that the method is specific, precise, and reproducible (intra‐ and interday precision relative standard deviations (RSDs) <10.0%). The stability of racemic clopidogrel was performed under all storage conditions and the results were found to be well within the acceptance limits. Chirality 26:102–107, 2014.© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Antiproliferative Evaluation of Some 2‐[2‐(2‐Phenylethenyl)‐cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl]‐1,3‐benzothiazoles: DFT and Molecular Docking Study

The 2‐[2‐(2‐phenylethenyl)cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl]‐1,3‐benzothiazoles were synthesized from the reactions of 7‐benzylidenebicyclo[3.2.0]hept‐2‐en‐6‐ones with 2‐aminobenzenethiol. The antiproliferative activities of 2‐[2‐(2‐phenylethenyl)cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl]‐1,3‐benzothiazoles were determined against C6 (rat brain tumor) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma cells) cell lines using BrdU cell proliferation ELISA assay. Cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) were used as standards. The most active compound was 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole against C6 cell lines with IC₅₀=5.89 μm value (cisplatin, IC₅₀=14.46 μm and 5‐FU, IC₅₀=76.74 μm ). Furthermore, the most active compound was 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole against HeLa cell lines with IC₅₀=3.98 μm (cisplatin, IC₅₀=37.95 μm and 5‐FU, IC₅₀=46.32 μm ). Additionally, computational studies of related molecules were performed by using B3LYP/6‐31G+(d,p) level in the gas phase. Experimental IR and NMR data were compared with the calculated results and were found to be compatible with each other. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps of the most active 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole against HeLa and the most active 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole against C6 were investigated, aiming to determine the region that the molecule is biologically active. Biological activities of mentioned molecules were investigated with molecular docking analyses. The appropriate target protein (PDB codes: 1 M17 for the HeLa cells and 1JQH for the C6 cells) was used for 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole and 2‐{(1S,2S)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethenyl]cyclopent‐3‐en‐1‐yl}‐1,3‐benzothiazole molecules exhibiting the highest biological activity against HeLa and C6 cells in the docking studies. As a result, it was determined that these molecules are the best candidates for the anticancer drug.     

A Simple Method for Resolution of Endo‐/Exo‐Monoesters of Trans‐Norborn‐5‐Ene‐2,3‐Dicarboxylic Acids Into Their Enantiomers

Separation of optical isomers obtainable from trans‐norborn‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid methyl and tert‐butyl monoesters was performed by crystallization of the respective salts prepared with (R)‐ and (S)‐1‐phenylethylamine. Starting from racemic endo‐monomethyl ester of trans‐norborn‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, prepared by partial hydrolysis of the cyclopentadiene‐dimethyl fumarate adduct, the corresponding (2R,3R)‐endo‐monoester was isolated in 97% enantiomeric excess (ee) yield after seven repeated crystallizations from tetrachloromethane. Starting from exo‐mono‐tert‐butyl ester of the same acid, prepared by alcoholysis of the cyclopentadiene‐maleic anhydride adduct followed by isomerization, (2R,3R)‐exo‐monoester was isolated in >98% ee yield after four repeated crystallizations from ethanol. Crystallization of the acids from the mother liquor containing (S)‐1‐phenylethylamine yielded products with inverse stereochemical configuration. Chirality 27:151–155, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

HS‐SPME‐GC‐FID method for detection and quantification of Bacillus cereus ATCC 10702 mediated 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline

A rapid micro‐scale solid‐phase micro‐extraction (SPME) procedure coupled with gas‐chromatography with flame ionized detector (GC‐FID) was used to extract parts per billion levels of a principle basmati aroma compound “2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline” (2‐AP) from bacterial samples. In present investigation, optimization parameters of bacterial incubation period, sample weight, pre‐incubation time, adsorption time, and temperature, precursors and their concentrations has been studied. In the optimized conditions, detection of 2‐AP produced by Bacillus cereus ATCC10702 using only 0.5 g of sample volume was 85 μg/kg. Along with 2‐AP, 15 other compounds produced by B. cereus were also reported out of which 14 were reported for the first time consisting mainly of (E)?2‐hexenal, pentadecanal, 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone, n‐hexanal, 2–6‐nonadienal, 3‐methoxy‐2(5H) furanone and 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyridine and octanal. High recovery of 2‐AP (87 %) from very less amount of B. cereus samples was observed. The method is reproducible fast and can be used for detection of 2‐AP production by B. cereus. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1356–1363, 2014     

Enantioselective liquid‐liquid extraction of DL‐mandelic acid using chiral diphosphine ligands as extractants

In order to expand the application range of chiral diphosphine ligands, (S)‐BINAP, (S)‐SEGPHOS, and (S)‐MeO‐BIPHEP were employed as extractants to recognize DL‐mandelic acid. The results indicated that (S)‐SEGPHOS‐Cu exhibited considerable ability to recognize DL‐mandelic acid with operational enantioselectivity (α) of 2.677. The process of extraction of DL‐mandelic acid using (S)‐SEGPHOS‐Cu as extractant was systematically investigated. Performance factor (pf) was adopted to comprehensively evaluate the extraction. After optimization by response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal extraction condition is temperature of 5.5°C, (S)‐SEGPHOS‐Cu concentration of 3.0 mmol/L, and pH of 8.0. And the predicted and experimental maximum values of pf were 0.26374 and 0.26839, respectively.     

Bio‐preparation of (R)‐DMPM using whole cells of Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum WZZ003 and its application on kilogram‐scale synthesis of fungicide (R)‐metalaxyl

Methyl (R)‐N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)alaninate ((R)‐DMPM) is a key chiral intermediate for the production of (R)‐metalaxyl, which is one of the best‐selling fungicides. A new strain, Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum WZZ003, was identified as a biocatalyst for the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM. The key parameters including pH, temperature, rotation speed and substrate concentrations were optimized in the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM. After the 48 h hydrolysis of 256 mM (R,S)‐DMPM under the optimized reaction conditions, the enantiomeric excess of product (e.e._p) was up to 99% and the conversion was nearly 50%. Subsequently, the unhydrolyzed (S)‐DMPM was converted to (R,S)‐DMPM through the n‐butanal‐catalyzed racemization. Furthermore, stereoselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM catalyzed by whole cells of P. asaccharolyticum WZZ003 was scaled up to kilogram‐scale, offering (R)‐MAP‐acid with 98.6% e.e._p and 48.0% yield. Moreover, (R)‐metalaxyl was prepared at kilogram scale after subsequent esterification and coupling reactions. Therefore, a practical production process of (R)‐DMPM and (R)‐metalaxyl with the prospect of industrialization was developed in this study. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:921–928, 2018     

Solid support membrane‐aerated catalytic biofilm reactor for the continuous synthesis of (S)‐styrene oxide at gram scale

Catalytic biofilms minimize reactant toxicity and maximize biocatalyst stability in selective transformations of chemicals to value‐added products in continuous processes. The scaling up of such catalytic biofilm processes is challenging, due to fluidic and biological parameters affording a special reactor design affecting process performance. A solid support membrane‐aerated biofilm reactor was optimized and scaled‐up to yield gram amounts of (S)‐styrene oxide, a toxic and instable high value chemical synthon. A sintered stainless steel membrane unit was identified as an optimal choice as biofilm substratum and for high oxygen mass transfer. A stable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane was best suited for in situ substrate delivery and product extraction. For the verification of scalability, catalytic biofilms of Pseudomonas sp. strain VLB120ΔC produced (S)‐styrene oxide to an average concentration of 390 mM in the organic phase per day (equivalent to 24.4 g L_aq^–1 day^–1). This productivity was gained by efficiently using the catalyst with an excellent product yield on biomass of 13.6 g_product g_biomass^–1. This product yield on biomass is in the order of magnitude reported for other continuous systems based on artificially immobilized biocatalysts and is fulfilling the minimum requirements for industrial biocatalytic processes. Overall, 46 g of (S)‐styrene oxide were produced and isolated (purity: 99%; enantiomeric excess [ee]: >99.8%. yield: 30%). The productivity is in a similar range as in comparable small‐scale biofilm reactors highlighting the large potential of this methodology for continuous bioprocessing of bulk chemicals and biofuels.