Enantioselective Synthesis of Optically Active Bis(β-hydroxy) Sulfones through Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Corresponding Ketones Catalyzed by a Chiral Cationic Ruthenium Diamine Catalyst

Chiral molecules containing sulfonyl and 1,5-diol moieties are useful synthetic blocks for various asymmetric transformations. A protocol has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of optically active bis(beta-hydroxy) sulfones catalyzed by a chiral cationic ruthenium diamine catalyst. A series of bis(beta-hydroxy) sulfones have been obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%) as well as good diastereoselectivities (up to 99 : 1).