Enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of aliphatic ketones catalyzed by ruthenium complexes linked to the secondary face of β-cyclodextrin

Ruthenium-eta-arene complexes attached to the secondary face of beta-cyclodextrin catalyze the enantioselective reduction (ee up to 98%) of aliphatic and aromatic ketones in aqueous medium in the presence of sodium formate (HCOONa).