Recent advance of amino-acids and their derivatives as chiral ligands in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Abstract

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) reaction of prochiral ketones is an important method to produce chiral alcohols. Recently, the application of chiral amino acids and their derivatives as ligands in ATH of prochiral ketones promoted by the ruthenium, rhodium or iridium complexes have been attracted more attentions. Herein the catalytic properties of amino acids, amino acid based amides, thioamides, hydroxamic acids, hydrazides, amino alcohols and hydroxy amides as ligands in the ruthenium, rhodium or iridium catalyzed ATH of prochiral ketones have been overviewed. © 2012 Chinese Chemical Society & SIOC, CAS.