Acetophenone → 2-Phenylethanol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

In an autoclave, 1.32 mg of RuBr2[(S,S)-xylskewphos] (3,5-Me2pica) (1.29×10−3 mmol, S/C=10000) and 5.79 mg of potassium tert-butoxide (5.16×10−2 mmol) are placed, and replaced with argon gas. Under argon gas flow, 1.5 mL of acetophenone (12.9 mmol) and 2.9 mL of ethanol was added while measuring by a syringe, pressurized with hydrogen to 10 atm, stirred at 40° C. for 19 hours, then the reduction of the hydrogen pressure was confirmed and phenylethanol was obtained at 100% yield. The optical purity was 88.0% ee as measured by GC (CP-Chirasil-DEX CB (0.25 mml. D×25 m, DF=0.25 μm, from VARIAN), constant at 110° C., pressure: 102.0 kPa, column flow: 1.18 mL/min, vaporizing chamber temperature: 250° C., detector temperature: 275° C., the retention time of each enantiomer was: (R): 11.7 min, (S): 12.4 min), and (S) isomer has predominantly been generated.

Provenance & Evidence