ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS BY CHIRAL RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES. VIII. THE ASYMMETRIC CANNIZZARO REACTION

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)93981-0

Disproportionation of aldehydes with formation of the corresponding acid and alcohol is catalyzed by phosphine-substituted cluster ruthenium carbonyls.The reaction takes place in the presence of water.An enantiomeric selection is shown by H4Ru4(CO)8<(-)-DIOP>2 in the disproportionation reaction of (R)(S)-2-methylbutanal; (-)(S)-2-methylbutanoic acid of 1.7percent optical purity is obtained.