Synfacts 2009(5): 0537-0537  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1216586
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aryl Ketones

Contributor(s): Mark Lautens, Jacki Kitching
Y. Li, K. Ding, C. A. Sandoval*
Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, P. R. of China
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 April 2009 (online)

Significance

Ruthenium-based catalysts utilizing hybrid NH2-benzimidazole ligands were prepared and applied to the asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl ketones. The hydrogenations proceed in both protic and non-protic solvents and the product ­alcohols are obtained in high enantioselectivity, even with a substrate-to-catalyst ratio of 50000. In addition, the use of these ligands is reported to result in a reversal of the typically observed chiral induction.