Asymmetric Reduction of Aromatic Ketones and Asymmetric Hydroboration of 2-Phenyl-1-Alkenes with the Reagent Prepared from Borane-Methyl Sulfide and (15,25)-(+)-2-Amino-3-Methoxy-1-Phenyl-1-Propanol

Abstract Asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones, with the reagent (1) prepared from borane-methyl sulfide (EMS) and (15, 25)-(+)-2-amino-3-methoxy-1-phenyl-1-propanol (3a) yielded the corresponding alcohols in 30–65% e.e. This reagent (1) is also effective for the asymmetric hydroboration of 2-phenyl-1-alkenes, isoelectronically similar to the aromatic ketones, and yielded the corresponding alcohols in 8–37% e.e.