beta-Hydroxyamide derivatives of salicylic acid as organocatalysts for enantioselective reductions of prochiral ketones

In order to find the most effective catalyst for the enantioselective reduction of a prochiral ketone, a series of novel beta-hydroxyamide derivatives of salicylic acid and chiral amino alcohols were synthesized. Different substituted prochiral ketones have been reduced in high yield (up to 99%) and the corresponding secondary alcohols are formed with good enantiomeric excess (up to 86%). The mechanism of this type of catalyst can be explained by considering the reaction mechanism for the CBS catalyst. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.