Trichloromethyl ketones: asymmetric transfer hydrogenation and subsequent Jocic-type reactions with amines

Amino-amides are important pharmaceutical building-blocks. The enantioselective reduction of trichloromethyl ketones using ruthenium transfer hydrogenation catalysts is reported. The products react in a range of Jocic-type reactions to give enantiomerically enriched amino-amides.