Synthesis and evaluation of a range of enantiopure β-aminoalcohols derived from tartaric acid for asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction of prochiral ketones

Several (2R,3R)-3-amino- and (alkylamino)-1,4-bis(benzyloxy)butan-2-ol have been prepared from readily available (+)-diethyl tartrate. These β-aminoalcohols in association with Ru(II) or Ir(I) complexes gave ee up to 80% in the hydrogen transfer reduction of various aryl alkyl ketones.