Asymmetric α-Hydroxylation of β-Indanone Esters and β-Indanone Amides Catalyzed by C-2′ Substituted Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives

The highly catalytic asymmetric alpha-hydroxylation of b-indanone esters and b-indanone amides using peroxide as the oxidant was realized with a new C-2' substituted Cinchona alkaloid derivatives. The two enantiomers of alpha-hydroxy-beta-indanone esters could be obtained by simply changing the oxidant. This protocol allows a convenient access to the cor-responding alpha-hydroxy-beta-indanone esters and a-hydroxy- b-indanone amides with up to 99% yield and 98% ee.