A rapid and green approach to chiral α-hydroxy esters: asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of α-keto esters in water by use of surfactants

A series of α-hydroxy esters were rapidly prepared (1.5 h) from α-keto esters via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) in water by the use of surfactants for the first time. This green method, catalyzed by a water-soluble and recyclable Ru(II) complex, gave moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 99.7% ee) with DTAB as an additive and HCOONa as the hydrogen source.

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