Synthesis, Crystal Structure of Chiral Ferrocenyl Amino Alcohols, and Its Use for Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

Abstract

Two chiral ferrocenyl amino alcohols (IIIa and IIIb) have been synthesized for the iridium catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The structures of two chiral ferrocenyl amino alcohols have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 1056737 (IIIa) and 1056734 (IIIb)). The results show that the activity and enantioselectivity of the chiral iridium catalyst are very sensitive to the substrate structure. Ir(I)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone resulted in moderate to good yield and lower enantioselectivity; asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of proopiophenone and 2-benzoylpyridine resulted in lower yield and lower enantioselectivity; as for 4-benzoylpyridine, good results have been achieved.