Chiral Hydride Reagents Containing (R/S)-2,2′-Dihydroxy-6,6′-Dimethylbiphenyl for Reduction of Alkyl Phenyl Ketones

Chiral hydride reagents for asymmetric reduction were prepared from LiAlH4, optically pure 2,2′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl (1), and an achiral alcohol. They showed high enantioface discrimination in the reduction of prochiral alkyl phenyl ketones. The configuration of preferentially formed enantiomer always agreed with that of 1 used for the reagents. Further, polymeric reagents containing (R)-1 moiety were prepared and their behavior in the reduciton was described also.