Highly chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselective reduction of 1,2-dialkyl-3-aryl-1,3-diketones for preparation of aldol-type compounds

[GRAPHICS] Highly chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselective borohydride reduction of 2- substituted-1,3-diketones was achieved in the presence of the optically act ive beta -ketoiminato cobalt complex catalysts to afford the optically acti ve 2-substituted-3-hydroxyketones. The present catalytic and enantioselecti ve reduction could provide an alternative potential for preparation of opti cally active ant aldol-type compounds.