Catalytic Meerwein-Pondorf-Verley reduction by simple aluminum complexes

[GRAPHICS] Catalytic MPV reduction was successfully carried out using simple aluminum precatalysts, Alkylaluminum reagents were converted to a low-aggregation al uminum alkoxide that was highly active for the MPV reduction of several car bonyl substrates in high yield (50-99%) using (PrOH)-Pr-i as the reducing a gent. A high degree of cis/trans selectivity was achieved in the reduction of 2-methylcyclohexanone (cis/trans = 20/80) by (PrOH)-Pr-i. When chiral hy dride sources were utilized in the reduction of 2 chloroacetophenone, high enantioselectivity (68-80% ee) was observed.