Benzil reductase ((R)-benzoin forming)

Benzil reductase ((R)-benzoin forming) is an enzyme with systematic name (R)-benzoin:NADP+ oxidoreductase. This enzyme catalyses the following chemical reaction


 * (R)-benzoin + NADP+ $$\rightleftharpoons$$ benzil + NADPH + H+

The bacterial enzyme (Xanthomonas oryzae) enantioselectively reduces one of the two carbonyl groups of benzil to form optically active (R)-benzoin.