A mild catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of a series of α-amino β-keto ester
hydrochlorides catalyzed by a rhodium(III) complex is reported. The use of the formic
acid/triethylamine system as the hydrogen donor source provided the corresponding
anti and syn amino alcohols with complete conversions, fair diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3
dr), and high enantioselectivities (ee up to >99%).
Key words
rhodium - asymmetric catalysis - transfer hydrogenation - amino alcohols - diastereoselectivity
- enantioselectivity