Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β-Aryloxy Alcohols by Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Aryloxy Aldehydes via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

A catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of racemic alpha-aryloxy aldehydes via dynamic kinetic resolution has been developed by using (diamine)(spirodiphosphine)ruthenium(II) chloride [RuCl2(SDPs)(diamine)] catalysts. Employing this new reaction system a variety of optically active beta-aryloxy primary alcohols were synthesized in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities.