The use of asymmetrictransferhydrogenation combined with dynamic kinetic resolution for the synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino esters in water is described. This procedure provides the desired amino alcohols in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. A surfactant is employed to achieve good yields due to the hydrophobic nature of both the catalyst and substrate
The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of alpha-amido-beta-keto esters to provide the corresponding anti-beta-hydroxy-alpha-amido esters in good to excellent yields, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity is reported. The procedure is operationally simple, and delicate handling of the catalyst is not necessary.