Inventors:
Thomas J. Blacklock - Clark NJ
Todd K. Jones - Edison NJ
David J. Mathre - Skillman NJ
Lyndon C. Xavier - Edison NJ
Assignee:
Merck & Co., Inc. - Rahway NJ
International Classification:
C07F 502
C07B 4900
C07B 4100
C07D21122
Abstract:
The chiral catalyst of general structure 1, or its enantiomer ##STR1## is prepared by treating the corresponding N-carboxy anhydride of structure 2 ##STR2## with an aryl metal, especially a phenyl metal such as an aryl magnesium halide, aryl lithium, aryl zinc or aryl cesium, to form a 1,1-diaryl- methanol of structure 3 ##STR3## followed by treatment with a compound of structure, 4 ##STR4## The catalyst, wherein R is aromatic, is novel and in some cases superior to the catalyst wherein R is alkyl or aralkyl in directing the chirality of diborane, borane-dimethyl sulfide or borane-tetrahydrofuran reductions of ketones to secondary alcohols.