1-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one → (alphaS)-alpha-Methyl-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenemethanol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A ruthenium complex Ru(OTf)[(S,S)-iso-BuSO2dpen] (p-cymene) (1.4 mg, 0.002 mmol), potassium formate (1.0 g, 12 mmol), and 3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)acetophenone (2.56 g, 10 mmol, substrate/catalyst ratio=5000) were set in a 20 mL glass Schlenk-type reaction tube under an argon atmosphere. Methanol (6 mL) was added thereto and stirred at 50° C. for 24 hours to give (S)-1-[3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanol at 100% yield and 87.7% ee optical purity.

Provenance & Evidence