Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley cyclic transition state

The Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reaction usually321 involves a cyclic transition state 322... 

The deviation from Cram s rule has been attributed to the cyclic nature of the transition state of the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reaction129. The situation may be further complicated by hydride transfer from external aluminum isopropoxide units not involved in the cyclic six-mem-bered transition state49,5S-13°. These competitive mechanistic pathways (external vs internal hydride transfer) depend on the experimental conditions (concentrations of reactants etc.). These have also been observed in the reduction of cyclic 1,2-diones where an internal hydride transfer to the intermediate a-hydroxy ketones may be sterically hindered. In these cases the stereochemical outcome of Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reactions cannot be definitely predicted. 

Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-Oppenauer (MPVO) reactions are usually mediated by metal alkoxides such as Al(0/-Pr)3. The activity of these catalysts is related to their Lewis-acidic character in combination with ligand exchangeability. The mechanism of these homogeneous MPVO reactions proceeds via a cyclic six-membered transition state in which both the reductant and the oxidant are co-ordinated to the metal center of the metal alkoxide catalyst (Scheme 1). The alcohol reactant is co-ordinated as alkoxide. Activation of the carbonyl by co-ordination to Al(III)-alkoxide initiates the hydride-transfer reaction from the alcoho-late to the carbonyl. The alkoxide formed leaves the catalyst via an alcoholysis reaction with another alcohol molecule, usually present in excess [Ij. 

Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reductions, unlike many asymmetric reductions, involve a reversible redox reaction. Hydride transfer from the asymmetric center is believed to take place within a six-membered cyclic transition state (A) or (B), Fig. 9]. The lower-energy transition state will be that having the larger groups trans [(B) in Fig. 9]. The enantiomer of the product carbinol which results from this lower-energy transition state will predominate in a kinetically controlled, asymmetric Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction. 

---