Biomimetic transfer hydrogenation of 2-alkoxy- and 2-aryloxyketones with iron–porphyrin catalysts

In situ generated iron porphyrins are applied as homogeneous catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of α-substituted ketones. Using 2-propanol as hydrogen donor various protected 1,2-hydroxyketones are reduced to the corresponding mono-substituted 1,2-diols in good to excellent yield. Under optimized reaction conditions catalyst turnover frequencies up to 2500 h−1 have been achieved.