Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β‐Aryloxy Alcohols by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ketone Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)

Abstract A highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral β‐aryloxy alcohols by the {RuCl 2 [( S )‐SDP][( R , R )‐DPEN]} [( S a , R , R )‐ 1a ; SDP=7,7′‐bis(diarylphosphino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane; DPEN= trans ‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine] complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryloxydialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed. Enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee with good to high cis / anti ‐selectivities (up to>99:1) were achieved.