Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of o-Hydroxyphenyl Ketones: Utilizing Directing Effects That Optimize the Asymmetric Synthesis of Challenging Alcohols

A systematic range of o-hydroxyphenyl ketones were reduced under asymmetric transfer hydrogenation conditions using the C3-tethered catalyst 2. Two directing effects, i.e., an o-hydroxyphenyl coupled to a bulky aromatic on the opposite side of the ketone substrate, combine in a matched manner to deliver reduction products with very high enantiomeric excess.