Synthesis of Chiral β‐Hydroxy Selenides by Ruthenium‐catalysed Transfer Hydrogenation of α‐Aryl Selenomethyl Ketones

Abstract

AbstractA highly efficient transfer hydrogenation of α‐aryl selenomethyl ketones, using readily available chiral diamine‐derived ruthenium complex as a catalyst and a mixture of formic acid and triethylamine as a hydrogen source in dichloromethane under ambient conditions, is described. A wide range of chiral β‐hydroxy selenides was obtained in 90–99% ee values and moderate to good yields. The practicability is also demonstrated by a gram‐scale synthesis and downstream derivatization.