Patent ID: 6743921
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B01J,C07B,C07C,C07D,C07F

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a nonracemic diastereomer selected from the group consisting of (1R,2R)-, (1R,2S)-, (1S,2R)- and (1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol compounds of the structural formula I, wherein R is selected from hydrogen and hydroxyl protecting groups, comprising hydrogenating a corresponding nonracemic ketone selected from 1-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanone compounds of the structural formula II, in the presence of a catalyst system comprising ruthenium, a nonracemic diphosphine ligand, a bidentate amine ligand selected from amino-thioethers and achiral diamines, and a base to produce said nonracemic diastereomer in a diastereomeric excess of at least 70%.