Enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones using a rhodium catalyst containing a methionine sulphoxide ligand

Abstract

An in situ rhodium catalyst containing N-acetyl-(S)-methionine (R,S)-sulphoxide, and using propan-2-ol as a source of hydrogen, effects enantioselective hydrogenation of alkyl aryl ketones with up to 75% enantiomeric excess.