Asymmetric synthesis of 2-azido-1-arylethanols from azido aryl ketone-beta-cyclodextrin complexes and sodium borohydride in water.

beta-Cyclodextrin catalyses for the first time the asymmetric reduction of alpha-azido aryl ketones to corresponding alcohols of great significance using sodium borohydride in water. The azido group appeared to be the best fit among various groups studied. This asymmetric reduction using water as solvent overcomes many of the drawbacks in the existing methodologies.