Enantioselective hydrogenation of alpha-aryloxy alpha,beta-unsaturated acids. Asymmetric synthesis of alpha-aryloxycarboxylic acids.
[reaction: see text] A facile preparation of chiral alpha-aryloxy carboxylic acids via asymmetric hydrogenation of the corresponding unsaturated acids has been discovered. A number of catalysts have been identified that give high product enantioselectivity, and the scope of the reaction has been examined with respect to substitution on the aromatic ring and olefin.
Department of Process Research, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, USA. peter_maligres@merck.com
Peter E
PE
Maligres
Shane W
SW
Krska
Guy R
GR
Humphrey