Concerted catalytic reactions for conversion of ketones or enol acetates to chiral acetates

Abstract

[GRAPHICS] Enol acetates or ketones asymmetrically transformed to chiral acetates in high yields with high optical purities through multistep reactions catalyzed by a lipase and a ruthenium complex. 2,6-Dimethylheptan-4-ol was chosen as a suitable hydrogen donor, and 4-chlorophenyl acetate was used as an acyl donor for the conversion of ketones.