title: Reductive desymmetrization of 2-alkyl-1,3-diketones catalyzed by optically active beta-ketoiminato cobalt complexes.
abstract: [reaction: see text] The reductive desymmetrization of acyclic 1,3-diketones was achieved for the first time by catalytic borohydride reduction in the presence of optically active beta-ketoiminato cobalt(II) complex catalysts. In this reaction, various 2-substituted-1,3-diaryl-1,3-propanediones were converted into the corresponding optically active 2-substituted-1,3-diaryl-3-hydroxypropanone in good-to-high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities and high catalytic efficiencies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koyasu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeno
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada