General procedure for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

The recovered catalyst was washed with dichloromethane four times and reused in the hydrogen transfer reaction by reloading HCOOH-Et3N azeotrope (1.0 ruL) and the ketone (1.0 mmol). 

Note Since the catalyst is rather moisture-sensitive, it is a necessity to use dry solvents and equipment. The reaction has to be performed with exclusion of moisture. 

Saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate Anhydrous sodium sulfate Anhydrous magnesium sulfate Silica gel (10-40 / m) 

A 50 mL addition funnel with pressure-equalization arm Several flash-chromatography columns Rotary evaporator 

In a 100 mL round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar were placed (5)-3-(methylamino)-l-phenylpropan-l-ol 21 (4.10g, 25mmol) and dry dimethyl sulfoxide (20mL). Sodium hydride (60%) (1.19g, 30mmol) was added in three 

---