A cocrystal of two MoVI complexes bearing different diastereomers of the 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(1‐oxido‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)(methyl)amino]methyl}phenolate ligand derived from (+)‐ephedrine

The title cocrystal contains two chiral conformational diastereomers, viz. (1S,2R,R_N)‐ and (1S,2R,S_N)‐, of [2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(1‐oxido‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)(methyl)amino]methyl}phenolato](methanol)‐cis‐dioxidomolybdenum(VI), [Mo(C₂₅H₃₅NO₂)O₂(CH₃OH)], representing the first example of a structurally characterized molybdenum complex with enantiomerically pure ephedrine derivative ligands. The Mo^VI cations exhibit differently distorted octahedral coordination environments, with two oxide ligands positioned cis to each other. The remainder of the coordination comprises phenoxide, alkoxide and methanol O atoms, with an amine N atom completing the octahedron. The distinct complexes are linked by strong intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in one‐dimensional molecular chains. Furthermore, the phenyl rings are involved in weak T‐shaped/edge‐to‐face π–π interactions with each other.     

Hydrogen and halogen bonding in the haloetherification products in chalcone

Cooperative action of hydrogen and halogen bonding in the reaction of 3‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one with HCl or HBr in alcohol medium under microwave irradiation (20 W, 80 °C, 10 min) allows the isolation of the haloetherification products (2S,3S)‐3‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐chloro‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐chloro‐3‐ethoxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, C₂₁H₂₄Cl₂O₃, (2S,3S)‐2‐bromo‐3‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐bromo‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐methoxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, C₂₀H₂₂Br₂O₃, and (2S,3S)‐2‐bromo‐3‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐bromo‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐ethoxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, C₂₁H₂₄Br₂O₃, in good yields. Both types of noncovalent interactions, e.g. hydrogen and halogen bonds, are formed to stabilize the obtained products in the solid state.     

Enantiomerically Pure Poly(oxymethylene) Helices: Correlating Helicity with Centrochirality

A first series of enantiomerically pure helical oligo(formaldehyde)s (=oligo(oxymethylen)s) 16 – 20 was synthesized. To induce the chiral uniformity of the helices, we used (1S)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐ol ( 14 ) to generate the end groups at the α and ω terminus (Scheme 6). Propanol 14 was accessible from its racemate by acetal formation with lactol 12 and separation of the diastereoisomers (Scheme 5). The helicity of the oligomers was investigated by temperature‐dependent CD, NMR, and optical‐rotation studies. In addition to qualitative considerations concerning the helicity of oligo(formaldehyde)s, we performed calculations of the dimer 17 and the pentamer 20 as well as X‐ray structure analyses of the dimer 17 and the tetramer 19 to establish the handedness of the helices and to correlate their sense with the absolute configuration of the inducing stereogenic center. The results may be of relevance with respect to induction and propagation of chirality in prebiotic chemistry.     

Determination of Absolute Configuration of Decipinone,a Diterpenoid Ester with a Myrsinane‐Type Carbon Skeleton,by NMR Spectroscopy

The absolute configuration of decipinone ( 2 ), a myrsinane‐type diterpene ester previously isolated from Euphorbia decipiens, has been determined by NMR study of its axially chiral derivatives (aR)‐ and (aS)‐N‐hydroxy‐2′‐methoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2‐carboximidoyl chloride ((aR)‐MBCC ( 3a ) and (aS)‐MBCC ( 3b )). The absolute configurations at C(7) and C(13) of 2 determined were (R) and (S), respectively. Therefore, considering the relative configuration of 2 , the absolute configuration determined was (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,7R,11S,12R,13S,15R).     

Cholinesterase‐Inhibiting New Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca hookeriana of Nepalese Origin

Bioassay‐guided phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca hookeriana has resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of five new pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids: (?)‐hookerianamide A (=(2β,3β,4β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐16‐ene‐2,4‐diol; 1 ), (+)‐hookerianamide B (=(2α,3β,4β,20S)‐4‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnan‐2‐ol; 2 ), (?)‐hookerianamide C (=(2β,3β,20S)‐2‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnane; 3 ), (?)‐hookerianamine A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐(methylamino)‐5α‐pregn‐14‐ene; 4 ), and (+)‐phulchowkiamide A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(methylamino)‐3‐[(2‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐2‐en‐4‐one; 5 ). These compounds, as well as the two chemically derived acetyl derivatives 6 and 7 , displayed cholinesterase inhibition in a concentration‐dependent manner.     

New Chiral and Achiral Imines and Bisimines Derived from 2‐Phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carbaldehyde. Synthesis,Structural Studies and Complexation Stability Constants

Synthesis and properties of new imines and bisimines derived from 2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carbaldehyde and amines/diamines were studied. (2‐Phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐yl)methanol was oxidized to 2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carbaldehyde with better yield 55% by the modification of literature procedure. This aldehyde was condensed with the following achiral and chiral amines or 1,2‐diamines: ethanamine, propan‐1‐amine, butan‐1‐amine, 2‐methylpropan‐1‐amine, cyclohexanamine, (2R)‐ and (2S)‐3‐methylbutan‐2‐amine, (1R)‐ and (1S)‐1‐cyclohexylethanamine, (S)‐1‐aminopropan‐2‐ol, (S)‐1‐(2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)ethanamine, (S)‐1‐(2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)‐2‐methylpropan‐1‐amine, (S)‐1‐(2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)‐3‐methylbutan‐1‐amine, ethane‐1,2‐diamine, and (1R,2R)‐ and (1S,2S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine. Sixteen condensation products, especially chiral imines and bisimines, were prepared by founded procedures in 45–99% of yields and characterized by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy in solution, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. The optical rotation values in the case of chiral ones were also observed. Stability constants of Cu(II) complexes of selected prepared imines/bisimines were determined.     

New Optically Active 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure 2,2‐Disubstituted Glycines

The synthesis of novel 2,2‐disubstituted 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines with a chiral amino group is described. Chromatographic separation of the diastereoisomer mixture yielded the pure diastereoisomers (1′R,2R)‐ 4a – e and (1′R,2S)‐ 4a – e (Scheme 1, Table 1), which are synthons for the (R)‐ and (S)‐isomers of isovaline, 2‐methylvaline, 2‐cyclopentylalanine, 2‐methylleucine, and 2‐(methyl)phenylalanine, respectively. The configuration at C(2) of the synthons was determined by X‐ray crystallography relative to the known configuration of the chiral auxiliary group. The reaction of 4 with thiobenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and the dipeptide Z‐Leu‐Aib‐OH ( 12 ) yielded the monothiodiamides 10 , the diamides 11 (Scheme 2, Table 3), and the tripeptides 13 (Scheme 3, Table 4), respectively.     

Salicylaldehyde based oxazolidines as catalysts for the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

A series of oxazolidines have been prepared by condensation of N‐isopropyl norephedrine with a variety of salicylaldehyde derivatives. Despite the stereochemical relationship of (1R,2S)‐norephedrine with (1R,2S)‐ephedrine, the resultant oxazolidines 12‐14 were determined to have a stronger stereochemical relationship with (1S,2S)‐pseudoephedrine based oxazolidines. The resultant oxazolidines were used as catalytic ligands in the addition of diethylzinc to several aldehydes. It was determined that the oxazolidine derivative 12 gave the highest yield and a moderate enantioselectivity.     

Chiral Borate Esters in Asymmetric Synthesis. Part 2

Asymmetric catalytic activity of the chiral spiroborate esters 1 – 9 with a O₃BN framework (see Fig. 1) toward borane reduction of prochiral ketones was examined. In the presence of 0.1 equiv. of a chiral spiroborate ester, prochiral ketones were reduced by 0.6 equiv. of borane in THF to give (R)‐secondary alcohols in up to 92% ee and 98% isolated yields (Scheme 1). The stereoselectivity of the reductions depends on the constituents of the chiral spiroborate ester (Table 2) and the structure of the prochiral ketones (Table 1). The configuration of the products is independent of the chirality of the diol‐derived parts of the catalysts. A mechanism for the catalytic behavior of the chiral spiroborate esters (R,S)‐ 2 and (S,S)‐ 2 during the reduction is also suggested.     

Optically Active Transition Metal Complexes. 128 [1] Synthesis,Characterization and Molecular Structures of Cycloheptatrienyl‐Iminphos‐Molybdenum Complexes Differing Only in the Metal Configuration

The chiral‐at‐metal cycloheptatrienyl‐molybdenum complexes (R_Mo, S_C)‐[(η⁷‐C₇H₇)Mo(iminphos)(CO)]BF₄ ( 2a ) and (S_Mo, S_C)‐[(η⁷‐C₇H₇)Mo(iminphos)(CO)]BF₄ ( 2b ) (iminphos = 2‐[N‐(S)‐1‐phenylethylcarbaldimino]phenyl(diphenyl)phosphane), which only differ in the molybdenum configuration, were prepared and separated by fractional crystallization. The absolute configuration for both diastereomers was determined by X‐ray analysis. ¹H NMR studies demonstrated the configurational lability at the molybdenum centre in solution.     

Chiral Enol Oxazolines and Thiazolines as Auxiliary Ligands for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Ruthenium‐Polypyridyl Complexes

Various ligands, such as (Z)‐1‐phenyl‐2‐[(4S)‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐oxazol‐2‐yl]ethen‐1‐ol ((S)‐ 1a ) and (Z)‐1‐phenyl‐2‐[(4S)‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl]ethen‐1‐ol ((S)‐ 1c ), were investigated as auxiliaries for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral ruthenium(II) complexes. The reaction of these chiral auxiliary ligands with [RuCl₂(dmso)₄], 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy, 2.2 equiv), and triethylamine (10 equiv) in DMF/PhCl (1:8) at 140 °C for several hours diastereoselectively provided the complexes Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₂{(S)‐ 1a ? H}] (Λ‐(S)‐ 2a , 52 % yield, 56:1 d.r.) and Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₂{(S)‐ 1c ? H}] (Λ‐(S)‐ 2c , 48 % yield, >100:1 d.r.) in a single step after purification. Both Λ‐(S)‐ 2a and Λ‐(S)‐ 2c could be converted into Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂ by replacing the bidentate enolato ligands with bpy, under retention of configuration, induced by either NH₄PF₆ as a weak acid (from Λ‐(S)‐ 2a : 73 % yield, 22:1 e.r.; from Λ‐(S)‐ 2c : 77 % yield, 22:1 e.r.), TFA as a strong acid (from Λ‐(S)‐ 2a : 72 % yield, 52:1 e.r.; from Λ‐(S)‐ 2c : 85 % yield, 25:1 e.r.), methylation with Meerwein′s salt (from Λ‐(S)‐ 2a : 59 % yield, 46:1 e.r.; from Λ‐(S)‐ 2c : 86 % yield, 37:1 e.r.), ozonolysis (from Λ‐(S)‐ 2a : 56 % yield, 22:1 e.r.; from Λ‐(S)‐ 2c : 43 % yield, 6.3:1 e.r.), or oxidation with a peroxy acid (from Λ‐(S)‐ 2a : 72 % yield, 45:1 e.r.; from Λ‐(S)‐ 2c : 79 % yield, 8.5:1 e.r.). This study shows that, except for the reaction with NH₄PF₆, oxazoline‐enolato complex Λ‐(S)‐ 2a provides Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂ with higher enantioselectivities than analogous thiazoline‐enolato complex Λ‐(S)‐ 2c , which might be due to the higher coordinative stability of the thiazoline‐enolato complex, thus requiring more prolonged reaction times. Thus, this study provides attractive new avenues for the asymmetric synthesis of non‐racemic ruthenium(II)‐polypyridyl complexes without the need for using a strong acid or a strong methylating reagent, as has been the case in all previously reported auxiliary methods from our group.     

Stereocontrolled anionic alternating copolymerization of ethylphenylketene with benzaldehyde by a bisoxazoline ligand

Anionic copolymerization of ethylphenylketene with benzaldehyde with butyllithium or diethylzinc as the initiator proceeded in a perfect 1:1 alternating manner to produce the corresponding polyester, whose repeating unit had two adjacent chiral centers. The relative stereochemistry between these two chiral centers was successfully controlled by the addition of (S,S)‐(‐)‐2,2′‐isopropylidenebis(4‐tert‐butyl‐2‐oxazoline), producing the corresponding polyester that had excellent diastereoselectivity (erythro‐configuration : threo‐configuration = 4:96). The diastereomeric ratio was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of the diol, which was obtained by reductive degradation of the polyester while maintaining the configuration of the repeating unit. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5384–5388, 2004     

New Optically Active 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure 2,2‐Disubstituted Glycines: Synthesis of Synthons for Tyr(2Me) and Dopa(2Me), and Their Incorporation into Dipeptides

The synthesis of novel unsymmetrically 2,2‐disubstituted 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines with chiral auxiliary amino groups is described. Chromatographic separation of the mixture of diastereoisomers yielded (1′R,2S)‐ 2a , b and (1′R,2R)‐ 2a , b (c.f. Scheme 1 and Table 1), which are synthons for (S)‐ and (R)‐2‐methyltyrosine and 2‐methyl‐3′,4′‐dihydroxyphenylalanine. Another new synthon 2c , i.e., a synthon for 2‐(azidomethyl)alanine, was prepared but could not be separated into its pure diastereoisomers. The reaction of 2 with thiobenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and the amino acid Fmoc‐Val‐OH yielded the monothiodiamides 11 , the diamides 12 (cf. Scheme 3 and Table 3), and the dipeptides 13 (cf. Scheme 4 and Table 4), respectively. From 13 , each protecting group was removed selectively under standard conditions (cf. Schemes 5–7 and Tables 5–6). The configuration at C(2) of the amino acid derivatives (1R,1′R)‐ 11a , (1R,1′R)‐ 11b , (1S,1′R)‐ 12b , and (1R,1′R)‐ 12b was determined by X‐ray crystallography relative to the known configuration of the chiral auxiliary group.     

One‐Pot,Asymmetric and Diastereoselective Four‐Component Synthesis of Polyfunctional (Z)‐Alkenyl Methyl Sulfones with Three Stereogenic Centers

The reaction of 1‐(trimethylsilyloxy)cyclopentene ( 9 ) with (±)‐1,3,5‐triisopropyl‐2‐(1‐(RS)‐{[(1E)‐2‐methylpenta‐1,3‐dienyl]oxy}ethyl)benzene ((±)‐ 4a ) in SO₂/CH₂Cl₂ containing (CF₃SO₂)₂NH, followed by treatment with Bu₄NF and MeI gave a 3.0 : 1 mixture of (±)‐(2RS)‐2{(1RS,2Z,4SR)‐2‐methyl‐4‐(methylsulfonyl)‐1‐[(RS)‐1‐(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)ethoxy]pent‐2‐en‐1‐yl}cyclopentanone ((±)‐ 10 ) and (±)‐(2RS)‐2‐{(1RS,2Z)‐2‐methyl‐4‐[(SR)‐methylsulfonyl]‐1‐[(SR)‐1‐(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)ethoxy]pent‐2‐en‐1‐yl}cyclopentanone ((±)‐ 11 ). Similarly, enantiomerically pure dienyl ether (−)‐(1S)‐ 4a reacted with 1‐(trimethylsilyloxy)cyclohexene ( 12 ) to give a 14.1 : 1 mixture of (−)‐(2S)‐2‐{(1S,2Z,4R)‐2‐methyl‐4‐(methylsulfonyl)‐1‐[(S)‐1‐(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)ethoxy]pent‐2‐enyl}cyclohexanone ((−)‐ 13a ) and its diastereoisomer 14a with (1S,2R,4R) or (1R,2S,4S) configuration. Structures of (±)‐ 10 , (±)‐ 11 , and (−)‐ 13a were established by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Poor diastereoselectivities were observed with the (E,E)‐2‐methylpenta‐1,3‐diene‐1‐ylethers (+)‐ 4b and (−)‐ 4c bearing ( 1 S )‐1‐phenylethyl and (1S)‐1‐(pentafluorophenyl)ethyl groups instead of the Greene's auxiliary ((1S)‐(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)ethyl group). The results demonstrate that high α/β‐syn and asymmetric induction (due to the chiral auxiliary) can be obtained in the four‐component syntheses of the β‐alkoxy ketones. The method generates enantiomerically pure polyfunctional methyl sulfones bearing three chiral centers on C‐atoms and one (Z)‐alkene moiety.     

Intermolecular Asymmetric Carboesterification of Alkenes by Using Chiral Amine Auxiliaries under O2: Synthesis of Enantioenriched α‐Methylene‐γ‐Lactones through Chloropalladation of Alkynes

Herein, the first example of chloropalladation‐initiated asymmetric intermolecular carboesterification of alkenes with alkynes by using chiral amine auxiliaries is reported. The use of (1S,2S)‐N¹,N¹‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine auxiliaries is essential for providing α‐methylene‐γ‐lactones products in moderate to high yields and excellent enantioselectivities at room temperature. Moreover, the chiral amine auxiliaries can be readily removed by hydrolysis during the reaction process to keep the absolute configuration. This oxygen‐ and water‐promoted asymmetric reaction opens a new window to study asymmetric processes in halopalladation reactions.     

Stereocontrol of the Schiff Base of Substituted Benzaldehyde to Staudinger Cycloaddition Reaction

Syntheses of 4 novel chiral azetidin-2-one derivatives,which were characterized by ^1H NMR,IR,specific rotation and elemental analysis,through Staudinger cycloaddition reaction of Schiff base of benzaldehyde with chlorine substitution at different position in benzene ring,were described.For the first time,this type of 3S,4R configuration azetidin-2-one monocrystals with many chiral centers [(3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-N-[(S)-(1-phenyl)ethyl]-4-(2‘‘-chlorophenyl)-azetidin-2-one monocrystal]were obtained,the structures of which were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.The effects of Schiff base of benzaldehyde with chlorine substitution at different position in benzene ring on stereoselectivity of Staudinger cycloaddition reaction products were discussed and the results are showed as below:2-chlorophenyl Schiff base favored to yield 3S,4R configuration product,but 4-chlorophenyl Schiff base favored to yield 3R,4S configuration product.The reaction orientation of 2,4-dichlorophenyl Schiff base was determined by corporate effect of 2- and 4-chlorine,and that of the 4-chlorine was more obvious.In contrast to 4-chlorophenyl,although the main product was 3R,4S configuration,3-chlorophenyl owned lower selectivity.     

Multigram Solution‐Phase Synthesis of Three Diastereomeric Tripeptidic Second‐Generation Dendrons Based on (2S,4S)‐, (2S,4R)‐, and (2R,4S)‐4‐Aminoprolines

Three diastereomeric second‐generation (G2) dendrons were prepared by using (2S,4S)‐, (2S,4R)‐, and (2R,4S)‐4‐aminoprolines on the multigram scale with highly optimized and fully reproducible solution‐phase methods. The peripheral 4‐aminoproline branching units of all the dendrons have the 2S,4S configuration throughout, whereas those units at the focal point have the 2S,4S, 2S,4R, and 2R,4S configurations. These latter configurations led to the dendrons being named (2S,4S)‐ 1 , (2S,4R)‐ 1 , and (2R,4S)‐ 1 , respectively. The 4‐aminoproline derivatives used in this study are new, although many closely related compounds exist. Their syntheses were optimized. The dendron assembly involved amide coupling, the efficiency of which was also optimized by employing the following well‐known reagents: EDC/HOBt, DCC/HOSu, TBTA/HOBt, TBTU/HOBt, BOP/HOBt, pentafluorophenol, and PyBOP/HOBt. It was found that the use of PyBOP is by far the best for dendrons (2S,4S)‐ 1 and (2R,4S)‐ 1 , and pentafluorophenol active ester is best for (2S,4R)‐ 1 . Because of their multigram scale, all couplings were done in solution instead of by solid‐phase procedures. Purifications were, nevertheless, easy. The optical purities of the key intermediates as well as the three G2 dendrons were analyzed by chiral HPLC analysis. These novel, diastereomeric second‐generation dendrons have a rather compact and conformationally highly rigid structure that makes them interesting candidates for applications, for example, in the field of dendronized polymers and in organocatalysis.     

Study on the Mechanism of Formation of 1‐Methylheptyl Phenyl Ether by the Isourea Method

The formation of (1R)‐1‐methylheptyl phenyl ether from (2S)‐octan‐2‐ol via its isourea derivative (S)‐ 1 follows a borderline mechanism. The intermediacy of a carbocation (see (S)‐ 2 ) can be demonstrated (Scheme 1). However, the extremely high inversion of configuration and the olefinic by‐products are also indicative of an S_N2 mechanism.     

A Highly Efficient Synthesis of Optically Active Ferrocenylethylamines via Hydride Reduction of Chiral Ferrocenylketimines

Due to using (R)‐ or (S)‐α‐methylbenzylamine as a chiral auxiliary, and low‐temperature regime for reduction of the intermediate ferrocenyl‐mono‐ or 1,1′‐bis‐ketimines, the corresponding secondary mono‐ or 1,1′‐bis‐amines were prepared with high diastereoselectivity. Removal of the α‐methylbenzyl group afforded the optically active primary mono‐ and bis‐ferrocenylethylamines in high yields. The absolute configuration of (R,R)‐ 3a and (S,S)‐ 3b was determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction.     

Modular amino acids and β‐amino alcohol‐based chiral ligands for enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a series of aromatic aldehydes was developed using a modular amino acids and ${\bf \beta}$ ‐amino alcohol‐based chiral ligand (2R)‐N‐[(1R,2S)‐1‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl]‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(tosylamino) propanamide ( 1f ) without using titanium complex. The catalytic system employing 15 mol% of 1f was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc (ZnEt₂) to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents, giving up to 97% ee of the corresponding secondary alcohol under mild conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.