Access to optically active linear ketones by one-pot catalytic deprotection, decarboxylation, asymmetric tautomerization from racemic benzyl β-ketoesters

Benzyl 2-benzoyl-2-phenylpropanoate 1b subjected to heterogeneous hydrogenolysis conditions in the presence of catalytic amounts of commercially available cinchonia alkaloids as chiral protic source, led to (R)-1,2-diphenylpropanone with up to 71% ee, through a cascade reaction involving deprotection, decarboxylation and asymmetric tautomerization of enolic species.