Asymmetric reductions by a chiral pyridine‐dinucleotide model

The reduction of two activated carbonyl compounds by a chirally substituted 1,4-dihydronicotinamide system is described. Although the chiral centre is far removed from the reaction centre, a rather high (up to 27%) asymmetric induction is observed. This degree of asymmetric induction is discussed in relation to the - independently documented - differential substrate accessibility of the two diastereotopic faces of the nicotinamide ring.