Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.125, No.37, 11253-11258, 2003
Catalytic enantioselective conjugate reduction of lactones and lactams
A dramatic acceleration of the enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones, lactams, and esters is reported upon addition of alcohol additives. Good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities were realized using a catalyst generated in situ from CuCl2.H2O, t-BuONa, p-tol-BINAP, and PIMHS, and this methodology was applied to the synthesis of (-)-Paroxetine.