Hydroxoiridium/Chiral Diene Complexes as Effective Catalysts for Asymmetric Annulation of α-Oxo- and Iminocarboxamides with 1,3-Dienes.

A broad spectrum of highly functionalized γ-lactam structures is available in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities in the presence of the Ir catalyst containing ligand (I). In some cases, the Ir catalyst obtained with ligand (II) is suitable to improve yield and enantioselectivity or the regioselectivity as is demonstrated for examples (XVI)/(XVII). The hydroxyiridium complexes are generated from IrCl(diene) precursors by treatment with KOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]