Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of β-Substituted α-Oxobutyrolactones

J Org Chem. 2021 Dec 3;86(23):17453-17461. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c02156. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Abstract

A concise and effective ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of β-substituted α-oxobutyrolactones has been developed, delivering a series of cis-β-substituted α-hydroxybutyrolactone derivatives with excellent yields, enantioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities. Two consecutive stereogenic centers were constructed in one step through dynamic kinetic resolution under basic conditions. The reaction could be conducted on a gram scale without loss of activity and enantioselectivity. The reductive products could be easily transformed into useful building blocks.