Chiral N,N′-dioxide–FeCl3 complex-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction.

An environmentally benign catalyst, the N,N′-dioxide–FeCl3 complex, has been developed for the asymmetric intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction. Aryl and alkyl glyoxal monohydrates were applied to obtain α-hydroxy acid esters with excellent results. Deuterium-label and control experiments shed light on the reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]