Asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones with the reagent prepared from (S)-(–)-2-amino-3-methyl-1,1-diphenylbutan-1-ol and borane

Abstract

Asymmetric reduction of prochiral aromatic ketones with the reagent prepared from (S)-(–)-2-amino-3-methyl-1,1-diphenylbutan-1-ol [(S)-(1)] and borane afforded the corresponding aromatic secondary alcohols in high optical (94–100% enantiomeric excess) and chemical (100%) yields.