Catalytic asymmetric Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction of glyoxylates induced by a chiral N,N′-dioxide/Y(OTf)3 complex

Abstract

An asymmetric Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction of glyoxylates was for the first time accomplished via an N,N′-dioxide/Y(OTf)₃ complex with aluminium alkoxide and molecular sieves (MSs) as crucial additives. A variety of optically active α-hydroxyesters were obtained with excellent results. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on the experiments.