Efficient Synthesis of cis-4-Propylcyclohexanol Using a Mutant Alcohol Dehydrogenase Coupled with Glucose Dehydrogenase

cis-4-Propylcyclohexanol is an important intermediate for synthesizing trans-2-(4-propylcyclohexyl)-1,3-propanediol, which widely used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. In this study, cis-4-propylcyclohexanol was prepared using a mutant alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus kefir (LK-TADH, A94T/F147L/L199H/A202L) coupled with glucose dehydrogenase. Using optimal catalytic conditions, 125 g/L (250 g) 4-propylcyclohexanone completely transformed after 5 h, and 225.8 g (cis/trans ratio 99.5:0.5) obtained through extraction rotary evaporation at yield 90.32%. This study reports potential method green production as key trans-2-(4-propylcyclohexyl)-1,3-propanediol industrial level.