title: Catalytic Meerwein-Pondorf-Verley reduction by simple aluminum complexes.
abstract: [reaction: see text] Catalytic MPV reduction was successfully carried out using simple aluminum precatalysts. Alkylaluminum reagents were converted to a low-aggregation aluminum alkoxide that was highly active for the MPV reduction of several carbonyl substrates in high yield (50-99%) using (i)PrOH as the reducing agent. A high degree of cis/trans selectivity was achieved in the reduction of 2-methylcyclohexanone (cis/trans = 20/80) by (i)PrOH. When chiral hydride sources were utilized in the reduction of 2-chloroacetophenone, high enantioselectivity (68-80% ee) was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Nguyen