Asymmetric reduction of substituted indanones and tetralones catalyzed by chiral dendrimer and its application to the synthesis of (+)-sertraline

A recoverable dendrimeric supported prolinol was used as a catalyst in the asymmetric reduction of indanones and tetralones to give separable cis and trans isomers up to 97% ee. This method was also applied in the enantio selective synthesis of the antidepressant drug (+)-sertraline. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.