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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
Frontispiece: asymmetric reduction of α-amino ketones with a KBH4 solution catalyzed by Chiral Lewis acids
Peng He1, Haifeng Zheng, Xiaohua Liu
1Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064 (P. R. China), Fax: (+86) 28-8541-8249.
Abstract:
Asymmetric Alkali Metal Borohydride Reduction Alkali metal borohydrides are mild, inexpensive, highly selective, and environmentally friendly reducing agents in organic chemistry. In their Communication on page 13482 ff., X. Feng et al. demonstrate an efficient enantioselective reduction of both secondary and primary α-amino ketones with potassium borohydride solution catalyzed by chiral N,N'-dioxide-metal complex catalysts. The catalytic system features a convenient operation and tolerance to water, without the need for basic additives.
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