The synthesis of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene–borane and –diorganoborane complexes and their use in the asymmetric reduction of ketones

Lindsay, D. M. and McArthur, D. (2010) The synthesis of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene–borane and –diorganoborane complexes and their use in the asymmetric reduction of ketones. Chemical Communications, 46 (14). pp. 2474-2476. ISSN 1359-7345 doi: 10.1039/C001466D

Abstract/Summary

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene–borane complexes have been synthesised, and have been shown to reduce ketones with Lewis acid promotion. Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene–borane and –diorganoborane complexes can reduce ketones with enantioselectivities up to 75% and 85% ee, respectively.