The enantioselective synthesis of α-hydroxy esters by ruthenium-catalyzed 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to tert-butyl glyoxylate is described. The use of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with (R,R)-Me-BIPAM gave optically active mandelic acids of up to 99% ee. Addition of a fluoride salt such as potassium fluoride (KF) or caesium fluoride (CsF) was effective for achieving high enantioselectivities.
An environmentally benign catalyst, the N,N′-dioxide–FeCl3 complex, has been developed for the asymmetric intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction with high yields and enantioselectivities.