Ruthenium-Lithium Complex for the Cyanosilylation of Aldehydes

Significance

A column-stable ruthenium BINAP derived complex was found to be active for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes with exceptional enantioselectivities using a minimal amount of catalyst. The authors performed the reaction on gram scale giving high yields and enantioselectivities. The ruthenium or lithium salt alone provided inferior results and, thus, act together as a more active catalyst.