An Efficient Stereoselective Total Synthesis of All Stereoisomers of the Antibiotic Thiamphenicol through Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reduction by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Thiamphenicol is a widely used antibiotic that exhibits activity against numerous Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Here, we describe the expedient synthesis of its four stereoisomers through a dynamic kinetic resolution that follows a ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation or a hydrogen transfer reaction as the key step.