Selective Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of α‐Substituted Acetophenones with Bifunctional Oxo‐Tethered Ruthenium(II) Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractA practical method for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α‐substituted ketones was developed utilizing oxo‐tethered N‐sulfonyldiamine‐ruthenium complexes. Reduction by HCO2H and HCO2K in a mixed solvent of EtOAc/H2O allowed for the selective synthesis of halohydrins from 2‐bromoacetophenone (98%) and 2‐chloroacetophenone (>99%), leading to suppressed undesired side reactions stemming from formylation under the typical reaction conditions using an azeotropic 5:2 mixture of HCO2H and Et3N. A range of functional groups, such as halogens, methoxy, nitro, dimethylamino, and ester groups, were well tolerated, highlighting the potential of this method. Nearly complete selectivity with a preferable ee was maintained even with a substrate/catalyst (S/C) ratio of 5000. This catalyst system was also effective for the asymmetric reduction of α‐sulfonated ketones without eroding the leaving group.magnified image