Asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones in pyridinium-based ionic liquids

The asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones has been studied in pyridinium-based room temperature ionic liquids, namely, 1-ethyl-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate, [EtPy]+[BF4]− and 1-ethyl-pyridinium trifluoroacetate, [EtPy]+[CF3COO]−. Ionic liquids were employed as solvents, while (R)-BINOL and (R)-BINOL-Br were used as chiral promoters. The effects of solvent, reaction time, temperature, catalyst loading and substituents were investigated. The reduction could be easily carried out in both ionic liquids with lower catalyst loading. 1-Ethyl-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate was recycled and reused efficiently.

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