The reaction is catalysed in the reverse direction. This activity is usually associated with butanediol dehydrogenase activity (EC 1.1.1.4 or EC 1.1.1.76). While the butanediol dehydrogenase activity is reversible, diacetyl reductase activity is irreversible. This enzyme has been reported in the bacteria Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae [1-3]. Different from EC 1.1.1.303, diacetyl reductase [(R)-acetoin forming].