ASYMMETRIC HYDROGENATION OF α-OXOCARBONYL COMPOUNDS CATALYZED BY BIS(DIMETHYLGLYOXIMATO)COBALT(II)-CHIRAL AMINE COMPLEX

Abstract
Bis(dimethylglyoximato)cobalt(II)-quinine-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-diketones afforded optically active reduction products, while that of α-oxocarboxylates and diacetyl gave not only simple reduction products but also reductive dimerization products with optical activity. In general, the optical yields of simple reduction products in cases of α-diketones (56–73%) were higher than those in cases of α-oxocarboxylates (12–20%).