Enzymatic resolution of secondary alcohols coupled with ruthenium-catalyzed racemization without hydrogen mediator

Abstract

(eta(5)-Indenyl)RuCl(PPh3)(2) was found to catalyze the racemization of secondary alcohols in the presence of triethylamine and oxygen. Unlike previously reported metal-catalyzed racemizations, ketones were not required as hydrogen mediators in our process. The Ru-catalyzed racemization was coupled with enzymatic acetylation for the dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols to give chiral acetates in good yields (60-98%) with high enantioselectivities (82-99% ee). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.