Highly enantioselective carbonyl reduction with borane catalyzed by chiral spiroborate esters derived from chiral 1,2-aminoalcohols

Novel spiroborate esters derived from nonracemic 1,2-amino alcohols were examined as chiral catalysts in the borane reduction of acetophenone and other aromatic ketones at room temperature. The optically active alcohols were obtained in excellent chemical yields and enantioselectivities up to 99% ee with 10% of catalyst.