Chirality-Economy Catalysis: Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones by Ru-Catalysts of Minimal Stereogenicity

This manuscript describes the design and synthesis of Ru catalysts that feature only a single stereogenic element, yet this minimal chirality resource is demonstrated to be competent for effecting high levels of stereoinduction in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation over a broad range of ketone substrates, including those that are not accommodated by known catalyst systems. The single stereogenic center of the (1-pyridine-2-yl)methanamine) is the only point-chirality in the catalysts, which simplifies this catalyst system relative to existing literature protocols.