New class of chiral ligands derived from isosorbide: first application in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

A new class of beta-amino alcohol and diamine ligands was prepared from isosorbide as a chiral renewable resource. The original wedge-shaped structure of isosorbide offers an interesting chiral pocket to promote the metal-catalyzed enantioselective reduction of ketones by transfer hydrogenation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.