Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenations

Significance

The authors describe a highly selective asymmetric transfer hydrogenation process for aryl alkyl ketones using a rhodium catalyst, a chiral pseudopeptide ligand, and isopropanol. The scope is broad for many aryl groups, though only two different alkyl groups are shown. Many of the yields are modest but most of the ee values are excellent.