Asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones catalyzed by using (αs, 4s)-2-dichloromethyl-4, 5-dihydro-α-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxazolemethanol-borane complex

Abstract

Chiral oxazoborolidine borane complex was prepared from (αs, 4s)-2-dichloromethyl-4, 5-dihydro-α-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxazolemethanol with Borane in THF. The borane modified by chiral oxazoborolidine enantioselectively reduced aromatic ketones to second-alcohol with about 95% yield and medium optical yields. In the end of article, results are discussed and reduction mechanism is shown which proves the resulting major isomers fit very well.