One-pot synthesis of chiral alcohols from alkynes by CF3SO3H/ruthenium tandem catalysis

A practical one-pot synthesis of chiral alcohols from readily available alkynes via tandem catalysis by the combination of CF3SO3H and a fluorinated chiral diamine Ru(ii) complex in aqueous CF3CH2OH is described. Very interestingly, the combination of fluorinated catalysts and solvent exhibits a positive fluorine effect on the reactivity and enantioselectivity. A range of chiral alcohols with wide functional group tolerance was obtained in high yield and excellent stereoselectivity under simple and mild conditions.