An efficient and practical preparation of homochiral linear secondary alcohols, 1-(4- alkylphenyl) and 1-(4-alkoxylphenyl) alcohols, via the asymmetric oxazaborolidine- catalyzed borane reduction of prochiral ketones is described. The phenomenon of the enantioselectivity of 1-(4-alkoxylphenyl) alcohols lower than that of 1-(4-alkylphenyl) alcohols was found and rationalized to the coordination of the oxygen atom in the alkoxy ...
