Optically active alcohols: Resolution and synthesis from asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones

The recent methods of resolution, enantiomeric excess determination and synthesis of optically active alcohols from asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones are reviewed in the article with references. Important functions and applications of optically active alcohols in biological and chemical research area are described in an introduction part. The following part deals with resolution and enaniiomeric excess determination of racemic alcohols. The next part discusses asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketone and related compounds, which including: (a) Reduction by chirally modified aluminum and boron hydrides: (b) Catalytic reduction with chiral transition metal, complexes: (c) Enantioselective reduction by hydride transfer from carbon: (d) Biocatalytic reduction: (e) Asymmetric synthesis of chiral nonracemic alcohols with help of physical methods. A conclusion about optically active, alcohols from asymmetric reduction of ketones followes in the final part of article. Foundation item: Supported by the Fundation of High Education Ministry for the Scholars Back from Abroad Biography: HU Xian-ming (1950-), male, Associate Professor, Ph. D. (Univ of Groningen), email: xmhu@wh.edu.cn.