Chiral synthesis Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reduction

The reduction of ketones by borane catalyzed by chiral oxazaborolidines such as (136), derived from the enantiomeric amino alcohols, has been applied to the synthesis of several drug candidates (127). This system is known as the CBS (Corey, Bakshi, Shibata) reduction (153), and Corey himself has applied it to the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds (154). A further example is provided by the synthesis of MK-499 (137), a... 

The Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reduction (CBS reduction) is a highly enantioselective method for arylketones, diaryl ketones, and dialkylketones. In addition, cyclic a,p-unsaturated ketones, acyclic a,p-unsaturated ketones, and a,p-ynones are reduced enantioselectively in a 1,2-fashion. The high enantioselective nature of this reduction relies on the chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst, shown in the reaction scheme, in the presence of borane or a dialkylborane. Reviews (a) Singh, V. K. Synthesis 1992, 605-617. (b) Deloux, L. Srebnik M. Chem. Rev. 1993,93,163-1. (c) Corey, E. J. Helal, C. J. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1998, 37. 1986-2012. 

The use of boranes has attracted considerably more interest over the last several decades and particularly the use of chiral oxazaborolidine catalysts in combination with borane as a stoichiometric reducing agent (the well-known Corey-Bakshi-Shibata (CBS) reduction) (564, 565) represents one of the most important and versatile methods for the stereoselective reduction of prochiral ketones. It is not intended to give a detailed overview of the successful applications of this versatile methodology for complex (natural product) synthesis, as this would be far beyond the scope of this volume. Instead two examples are chosen below to highlight the potential of this method, especially when used for highly selective late-stage modifications (566,567). 

The pioneering work from Itsuno group [11-14] on stoichiometric 1,2-aminoalcohol-borane complex-mediated borane reduction of ketones led to the discovery of well-defined oxazaborolidine catalyzed asymmetric reduction by Corey and coworkers [15-18]. Known as Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reaction, or CBS reduction, this reaction has become a standard method for making chiral secondary alcohols for complex molecule synthesis [19]. The generally accepted mechanism of this reaction is shown in Fig. 2. Coordination of the electrophilic reductant BH3 to the nitrogen atom of... 

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