Asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-hydroxy ketones: A reaction sensitive toward electronic effect of substrates

An efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of a-hydroxy ketones was reported with the catalyst prepared from [RuCl2(benzene)](2) and SunPhos, chiral terminal 1,2-diols were obtained in up to 99% ee. This Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of alpha-hydroxy ketones represents a new route for the synthesis of chiral terminal 1,2-diols.