Asymmetric Borane Reduction of Prochiral Ketones Catalyzed by α,α-Disubstituted Aziridinemethanols

Abstract

A series of novel α,α-disubstituted aziridinemethanols have been developed for the enantioselective reduction of ketones in refluxing tetrahydrofuran. The optically active secondary alcohol products were obtained in good enantiomeric excess (~96.8%) and excellent yields. The results showed that the substituent groups on the hydroxyl-bearing carbon of aziridinemethanols obviously affected the enantioselectivity.