pH-Independent transfer hydrogenation in water: catalytic, enantioselective reduction of β-keto esters.

A pH-independent asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of β-keto esters in water with formic acid/sodium formate is described. The reaction is conducted open to air and gives access to β-hydroxy esters in excellent yields and selectivities.

Transfer hydrogenation in water: enantioselective, catalytic reduction of alpha-cyano and alpha-nitro substituted acetophenones.

Catalytic reduction of alpha-substituted acetophenones under conditions involving asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in water is described. The reaction is conducted in water and open to air, and formic acid is used as reductant.

Transfer hydrogenation in water: enantioselective, catalytic reduction of (E)-beta,beta-disubstituted nitroalkenes.

A mild catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of beta,beta-disubstituted nitroalkenes is reported. Formic acid is used as a reductant in combination with an Ir catalyst. The reaction is conducted in water at low pH and open to air to give adducts in preparatively useful yield and selectivity.