Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Propargylic Ketones

Abstract The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α,β‐propargyl ketones catalyzed by an in situ formed ruthenium–hydroxyamide complex was explored. The acetylenic alcohols were isolated in good to excellent yields with excellent ee values (typically >90 %) after short reaction times at room temperature.