Asymmetric synthesis of secondary benzylic alcohols via arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes

(Aryl aldehyde)- and (aryl ketone)-chromium tricarbonyl complexes ortho-substituted with the chiral auxiliary O-methyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)hydroxylamine undergo diastereoselective addition of Grignard reagents and Super-Hydride®, respectively, to give the corresponding secondary alcohols in high diastereoisomeric purity. These compounds may be easily decomplexed and deprotected to give the corresponding enantiopure amino alcohols.