Practical access to planar chiral 1,2-(α-Ketotetramethylene)- ferrocene by non-enzymatic kinetic resolution and conclusive confirmation of its absolute configuration

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of racemic 1,2-(α-ketotetramethylene)ferrocene using the [N-(tosyl)-1,2-diphenylethylendiamine]ruthenium(II) complex [TsDPEN-Ru(II)] as catalyst takes place with a high level of kinetic resolution to deliver the ketone in up to 99% ee. The X-ray crystallographic structure of a derivative of the alcohol co-product serves to confirm conclusively both the absolute configuration of 1,2-(α-ketotetramethylene)ferrocene and the endo-reduction selectivity