RuPHOX-Ru catalyzed asymmetric Guerbet reaction of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols

Abstract

An efficient RuPHOX-Ru catalyzed asymmetric Guerbet reaction of secondary alcohols with a broad scope of primary alcohols has been developed, affording long-chain chiral alcohols in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 96% ee). In particular, alkyl primary alcohols could also react to give the desired products with good results. The protocol could be performed on a gram-scale, providing an alternative pathway with minimal environmental impact and high atom-economy for the preparation of chiral alcohol products.