Asymmetric Hydrogenation of B-pin Containing
Ketones and Derivatives

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of B-pin Containing
Ketones and Derivatives

Chemistry

Molecules, just like many objects, can exist in structurally iden�cal but mirror image forms known as ‘enan�omers’ (Figure 1 – like
your hands), each of which can have a different biological effect.1 A 50-50 mixture of enan�omers is made through tradi�onal synthe�c methods of reducing ketones to enan�omeric alcohols (Scheme 1), whereas using asymmetric catalysts can predominantly
create one enan�omer,2 which is essen�al (and indeed a legal requirement) for the synthesis of many important known and novel
molecules, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other fine chemicals.

Efstratios Nikolaidis