title: A cationic ruthenium complex for the dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols.
abstract: A synthetic protocol making use of a well-defined cationic ruthenium complex 2 enabling the racemization of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols in the presence of a weak base (K2CO3) is described. The compatibility of 2 with Candida Antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) allows the development of an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols in the absence of an additional strong base. This procedure involves the first example of a dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols in the presence of a cationic ruthenium catalyst. In addition, we describe the conversion of ketones to the enantioenriched acetates in a one-pot reaction, probing the versatility of complex 2.
authors.affiliation: EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9ST (UK).
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fernández-Salas
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzini
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nolan
keywords: dynamic kinetic resolution; enzyme catalysis; metal catalysis; racemization; ruthenium