Enzymatic reduction of α-substituted ketones with concomitant dynamic kinetic resolution

•Enzymatic reduction of racemic α-substituted ketones and simultaneous dynamic kinetic resolution.•Stereoselective preparation of homochiral α-substituted chiral alcohols.•Reductions of N-protected α-amino ketones provided N-protected α-amino alcohols in high de and ee.•Choice of buffer is crucial for the reduction of an α-methyl ketone to the corresponding alcohol in high deand ee.•Glucose dehydrogenase is acting as a ketoreductase.