One-pot synthesis of chiral alcohols from alkynes by CFSOH/ruthenium tandem catalysis.

A practical one-pot synthesis of chiral alcohols from readily available alkynes tandem catalysis by the combination of CFSOH and a fluorinated chiral diamine Ru(ii) complex in aqueous CFCHOH is described. Very interestingly, the combination of fluorinated catalysts and solvent exhibits a positive fluorine effect on the reactivity and enantioselectivity. A range of chiral alcohols with wide functional group tolerance was obtained in high yield and excellent stereoselectivity under simple and mild conditions.