A catalyst system consisting of RuCl2[(S)-tolbinap][(R)-dmapen] and t-C4H9OK in 2-propanol effects asymmetric hydrogenation of arylglyoxal dialkylacetals to give the alpha-hydroxy acetals in up to 98% ee. Hydrogenation of racemic alpha-amidopropiophenones under dynamic kinetic resolution predominantly gives the syn alcohols in up to 99% ee and > 98% de, while the reaction of racemic bezoin methyl ether gives the anti alcohols in excellent stereoselectivity.
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by the TolBINAP/DMAPEN−Ruthenium(II) Complex: A Significant Effect of <i>N</i>-Substituents of Chiral 1,2-Diamine Ligands on Enantioselectivity
mode of enantioface selection was interpreted by using transition state models based on the X-ray structure of the catalyst precursor. The chiral catalyst effected the hydrogenation of alkyl aryl ketones and arylglyoxal dialkyl acetals to afford the chiral alcohol in >99% ee in the best cases. Hydrogenation of racemic benzoin methyl ether with the chiral catalyst through dynamic kinetic resolution gave