Stereodivergent approach to syn- and anti 2-amino-1,2-diarylethanols using oxazaborolidine-mediated asymmetric reduction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01125-8

Highly enantioselective reduction of 1,2-diaryl-2-benzyloxyiminoethanones was conducted using oxazaborolidine derived from L-threonine and BH₃· SMe₂ to give β-imino alcohols in high enantiomeric purity. Subsequent reduclion of the imino functionality afforded either syn- or anti-2-amino-1,2-diarylethanols in high enantiomeric purity by choosing appropriate reduction conditions.