Enantioselective synthesis of cis-α-substituted cycloalkanols and trans-cycloalkyl amines thereof

The diastereo- and enantioselective syntheses of trans-cycloalkyl amines was accomplished through a three-step sequence consisting of: (1) asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through dynamic kinetic resolution of bicyclic and monocyclic α-substituted ketones using HCO2H/Et3N as the hydrogen source and TsDPEN-based Ru(II) catalysts, (2) nucleophilic hydroxyl to azide substitution of the resulting cis-cycloalkanols using diphenyl phosphoryl azide under modified Mitsunobu conditions, and (3) reduction of the trans-azide intermediates with LiAlH4 of PPh3/H2O to the desired targets.