Amine/ketone cooperative catalysis with H2O2

Catalytic asymmetric hydroxylation with H2O2 has been previously explored but remains a great challenge. Our earlier mechanistic studies revealed a possible ketone (substrate 1) catalysis in the chiral primary amine catalyzed α-hydroxylation of β-ketoesters. An optimal ketone catalyst (4) was then identified and this was elaborated into a cooperative amine-ketone catalysis for enantioselective hydroxylation with H2O2.