The Open Catalysis Journal

2009, 2 : 96-100
Published online 2009 June 16. DOI: 10.2174/1876214X00902010096
Publisher ID: TOCATJ-2-96

A New Method for the Preparation of Oxazaborolidine Catalyst In Situ Using 1,2-Aminoalcohol, Sodium Borohydride, and Diiodomethane for the Asymmetric Reduction of Prochiral Ketones and N-Substituted Imines

Kettouche Hichem Sadrik and Djerourou Abdel Hafid
Laboratory of Synthesis and Organic Biocatalysis, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, BP 12, 23000, Annaba, Algeria.

ABSTRACT

An oxazaborolidine catalyst is readily prepared in situ at room temperature in THF using 1,2-aminoalcohols and borane generated from sodium borohydride/CH2I2 reagent system. The oxazaborolidine/BH3 reagent system prepared in this way is useful for the reduction of prochiral ketones and N-substituted imines to the corresponding alcohols and amines with moderate to good enantiomeric excesses.

Keywords:

Asymmetric reduction, oxazaborolidine, borane.