Kinetic resolution of chiral racemic alcohols by BITIANP–ruthenium(II)‐catalysed hydrogenation

Chiral allylic secondary alcohols have been resolved efficiently by catalytic hydrogenation with ruthenium complexes derived from the new chiral atropisomeric (R)‐ and (S)‐BITIANP. These catalytic sistems have been applied to the resolution of NCS‐382, a selective antagonist of the γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) receptors. NCS‐382 may play a role as a central neuromodulator and possesses several neuropharmacological properties that can be investigated in detail only if both eutomer and distomer are available in bulk. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.