RuPHOX–Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted tetralones via a dynamic kinetic resolution

The efficient RuPHOX-Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted tetralones via a dynamic kinetic resolution has been achieved for the synthesis of chiral tetrahydronaphthols. The mechanism study indicated that hydrogenation with H2 gas, rather than transfer hydrogenation with EtOH solvent as the hydrogen source, predominates in the reaction pathway.