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An asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2‐oxazolones in the presence of a chiral diamine ruthenium catalyst with potassium formate as a hydrogen source and potassium carbonate as an additive in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol is described. A series of chiral 2‐oxazolidinones were obtained with 29%–95% yields and 86%–>99% ee's. Furthermore, gram‐scale synthesis of chiral 2‐oxazolidinone and its downstream derivatizations demonstrate the practicality of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient transfer hydrogenation of α‐aryl selenomethyl ketones, using readily available chiral diamine‐derived ruthenium complex as a catalyst and a mixture of formic acid and triethylamine as a hydrogen source in dichloromethane under ambient conditions, is described. A wide range of chiral β‐hydroxy selenides was obtained in 90–99% ee values and moderate to good yields. The practicability is also demonstrated by a gram‐scale synthesis and downstream derivatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]