Synfacts 2014; 10(1): 0058
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1340441
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

Contributor(s):
Mark Lautens
,
Zafar Qureshi
Lemke M.-K, Schwab P, Fischer P, Tischer S, Witt M, Noehringer L, Rogachev V, Jäger A, Kataeva O, Fröhlich R, Metz P * Technische Universität Dresden und Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany; Tomsk Polytechnic University, Russia
A Practical Access to Highly Enantiomerically Pure Flavanones by Catalytic Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013;
52: 11651-11655
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 December 2013 (online)

 

Significance

Chiral flavanone moieties are among the largest secondary metabolites in plants. As such, they have been known for their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. The authors present a practical and convenient method for the synthesis of both enantiomers of this class of molecules.


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Comment

The catalytically active rhodium hydride species was generated in situ prior to the addition of the substrate. This method allowed the authors to reduce catalyst loading to 0.5 mol% while retaining high enantioselectivities. They were able to synthesize both enantiomers of the natural product glabrol.


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