Enantioselective Synthesis of Optically Active Bis(β-hydroxy) Sulfones through Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Corresponding Ketones Catalyzed by a Chiral Cationic Ruthenium Diamine Catalyst

Chiral molecules containing sulfonyl and 1,5-diol moieties are useful synthetic blocks for various asymmetric transformations.A protocol has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of optically active bis(β-hydroxy)sulfones catalyzed by a chiral cationic ruthenium diamine catalyst.A series of bis(β-hydroxy)sulfones have been obtained in excellent yields(up to 99%)with excellent enantioselectivities(up to 99%)as well as good diastereoselectivities(up to 99∶1).