RuPHOX–Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted tetralones via a dynamic kinetic resolution

Abstract

The efficient RuPHOX–Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted tetralones via a dynamic kinetic resolution has been achieved for the synthesis of chiral tetrahydronaphthols. The mechanism study indicated that hydrogenation with H₂ gas, rather than transfer hydrogenation with EtOH solvent as the hydrogen source, predominates in the reaction pathway.