New air-stable iron catalyst for efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary benzylic and aliphatic alcohols

Abstract

Abstract We herein report a catalyst system for the dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols by combining the enzymatic resolution with an iron-catalyzed racemization. A new air-stable tricarbonyl (cyclopentadienone)iron complex is identified as the active racemization catalyst for this transformation without any additive. Various substrates including benzylic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic alcohols can be used and afford the corresponding esters in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.