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Updated: Nov 19, 2025

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of α-Substituted-β-Keto Carbonitriles via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution
Fangyuan Wang1,2, Tilong Yang2, Ting Wu3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
A catalytic protocol for the enantio- and diastereoselective reduction of α-substituted-β-keto carbonitriles is described. The reaction involves a DKR-ATH process with the simultaneous construction of β-hydroxy carbonitrile scaffolds with two contiguous stereogenic centers. A wide range of α-substituted-β-keto carbonitriles were obtained in high yields (94%-98%) and excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities (up to >99% ee, up to >99:1 dr). The origin of the diastereoselectivity was also rationalized by DFT calculations. Furthermore, this methodology offers rapid access to the pharmaceutical intermediates of Ipenoxazone and Tapentadol.
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