Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones using terpene-based chiral β-amino alcohols

Abstract Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of aromatic alkyl ketones have been studied using [RuCl 2 ( p -cymeme)] 2 and terpene-based β-amino alcohols. The limonene derived amino alcohol, (1 S ,2 S ,4 R )-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanol gave the most promising results. Chiral secondary alcohols were obtained in good to excellent yields and moderate enantioselectivities (up to 71%).