A Convenient Synthesis of (S)-H₄-BINOL and Its Derivatives via Hydrogenation of Monoesters of BINOL

A new multigram synthesis of chiral (S)-H₄-BINOL and its derivatives in moderate to high yield (up to 83% total yield) via monoesterification of (S)-BINOL, hydrogenation, and saponification reaction was described. The two new monomethylated (S)-H₄-BINOL obtained may be useful materials in asymmetric catalysis.