The selective activation of one methyl ketone enantioface viaσ-binding to a chiral metal template: synthesis and reactivity of rhenium ketone complexes [(η ⁵ -C ₅ H ₅ )Re(NO)(PPh ₃ )(η ¹ -Me(R)CO)]+PF ₆ –

The title compounds (R = Me, Et, Ph) are synthesized from ketones in high yield, structurally characterized, and shown to undergo highly stereoselective nucleophilic attack; secondary alcohols can be made with 95 to 99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)