Asymmetric reduction of aromatic and heterocyclic ketones by hydrosilylation and hydrogen transfer in the presence of optically active rhodium catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF01169246

A study has been made of enantioselective hydrosilylation and reduction, by hydrogen transfer, of prochiral alkyl phenyl ketones or alkyl hetaryl ketones over various optically active catalysts. A total of 14 aromatic and heterocyclic carbinols were synthesized with preparative yields of 54-100%. The most effective catalytic systems were found to be complexes of RhCl₃ and [Rh(cod)Cl]₂ with the known optical inductor (S,S)-i-Pr-Pybox, with which we have obtained for the first time a series of heterocyclic secondary alcohols with an enantioselectivity of 20-63%. 1996 Plenum Publishing Corporation.