Rh III- and Ir III-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones in water.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ketones by formate in neat water is shown to be viable with Rh-TsDPEN and Ir-TsDPEN catalysts, derived in situ from [Cp*MCl2]2 (M=Rh, Ir) and TsDPEN. A variety of ketones were reduced, including nonfunctionalized aryl ketones, heteroaryl ketones, ketoesters, and unsaturated ketones. In comparison with Ir-TsDPEN and the related Ru II catalyst, the Rh III catalyst is most efficient in water, affording enantioselectivities of up to 99 % ee at substrate/catalyst (S/C) ratios of 100-1000 even without working under an inert atmosphere.