Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 2-Hydroxy Ketones to Access 1,2-Diols

Keywords

α-hydroxy ketones - asymmetric hydrogenation - chiral 1,2-diols - cobalt catalysis

Significance

A carboxylic acid additive was found to significantly increase the reactivity and enantioselectivity of a cobalt(II)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-hydroxy ketones. This protocol provides facile access to highly enantioenriched 1,2-diols, which are important building blocks in synthetic chemistry.

 

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Comment

When the α-hydroxy group is replaced by an ester or a methoxy group, the yield of the reaction is markedly reduced. This suggests that the proton of the hydroxy group plays a key role in the catalytic activity of this transformation. This result along with further DFT studies support the shown catalytic cycle.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
23 July 2025