Asymmetric synthesis of (R)- and (S)-arylethanolamines from iminoketones

摘要

A method for the enantioselective reduction of an alpha -iminoketone to an alpha -aminoalcohol is disclosed. The method utilizes a borane reducing agent as the reducing agent and a chiral 1,3,2-oxazaborole as the catalyst. The method is applied to the synthesis of R-albuterol from methyl 5-acetylsalicylate in high yield and high optical purity.