Stereoselective reductions, of carbonyl

One of the fundamental operations in organic synthesis remains the stereoselective reduction of carbonyl groups1241. In a process related to that reported by Hosomi et u/.[25], using hydrosilanes as the stoichiometric oxidant and amino acid anions as the catalytic source of chirality, a variety of ketones were reduced in good to excellent yield and with good stereoselectivity1261. This process reduces the amount of chiral catalyst needed and utilizes catalysts from the chiral pool that can be used directly in their commercially available form. 

A MECHANISM FOR THE REACTION ] Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones by Hydride Transfer 548 THE CHEMISTRY OF... Alcohol Dehydrogenase—A Biochemical Hydride Reagent 548 THE CHEMISTRY OF... Stereoselective Reductions of Carbonyl Groups 550... 

Denis, C. Laignel, B. Plusquellec, D. Le Marouille, J.Y. Botrel, A. (1996) Highly regio- and stereoselective reductions of carbonyl compounds in aqueous glycosidic media. Tetrahedron Lett., 37, 53—6. 

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