Synthesis of chiral 2-aroyl-1-tetralols: Asymmetric transfer hydrgenation of 2-aroyl-1-tetralones via dynamic kinetic resolution

Abstract

The dynamic kinetic resolution of 2-aroyl-1-tetralones was achieved via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation using (S,S)-RuCl(p-cymene)TsDPEN (TsDPEN=N-(tosyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) in formic acid/triethyl- amine (5:2, molar ratio), afforded the desired products in good yields (up to 85%) with diastereomeric ratio up to >99:1 and high enantiomeric excesses (up to >99%). The absolute configuration of major the product was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Copyright © 2011 SIOC, CAS, Shanghai & WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.