Transfer hydrogenation of activated ketones using novel chiral Ru(II)-N-arenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine complexes

A series of α-keto esters and α,α,α-trifluoromethyl ketones were reduced in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities under Ru-catalysed transfer hydrogenation using novel chiral N-arenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine ligands.