A stable and easily prepared catalyst for the enantioselective reduction of ketones. Applications to multistep syntheses

TLDR: In this paper, the authors described a new method for the catalytic enantioselective reduction of ketones to chiral secondary alcohols, where the stoichiometric reagent in the reduction is borane and the catalyst is a chiral oxazaborolidine such as 1 (0.05-0.1 molfmol of ketone).

Abstract: We have recently described a new method for the catalytic enantioselective reduction of ketones to chiral secondary alcohols.' The stoichiometric reagent in the reduction is borane (usually 0.6 molfmol of ketone), and the catalyst is a chiral oxazaborolidine such as 1 (0.05-0.1 molfmol of ketone). Excellent enantioselectivities, easy recoverability of the chiral catalyst predecessor, near quantitative yields, short reaction times (a few minutes at 23 \"C), and predictability of the absolute configuration of the product contribute to the outstanding utility of this (CBS') process. This paper reports several subsequent developments in this area with respect to improved practicality and important applications. In contrast to 1 which is both air and moisture sensitive, the B-methylated oxazaborolidine 2 can be stored in closed containers at room temperature and weighed or transferred in air. Catalyst 2 is also much more easily prepared than 1. Reaction of (S)-