A new variant of glycerol dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been engineered and immobilised on porous microbeads to accept a battery of alkyl/aryl glyceryl monoethers as substrates. QM/MM computational studies reveal the excellent S-enanotoselectivity towards the glycerol derivatives and site-directed immobilisation techniques allow the performing of kinetic resolution of racemic (R)-3-(alkoxy/aryloxy)propan-1,2-diols- This heterogeneous biocatalyst is re-usable and can be coupled with an NAD+ recycling system to intensify the process.

DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04471g