Enantioselective reduction of ketoxime ethers with borane-oxazaborolidines and synthesis of the key intermediate leading to (S)-rivastigmine

Abstract

The reduction of representative alkyl aryl (E)-ketoxime O-benzyl ethers with borane catalyzed by terpene oxazaborolidines, derived from (1R)-nopinone and (1R)-camphor, gave the corresponding amines with 82-99% ee. Oxazaborolidines derived from (1S)-2-carene and (1S)-3-carene were less selective. (S)-1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)ethanamine (94% ee) the key intermediate in the synthesis of (S)-rivastigmine, was obtained by the reduction of (E)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl) ethanone O-benzyl oxime with borane/oxazaborolidine generated from (S)-valinol. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.