Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Tetrasubstituted α,β‐Unsaturated Amides: Efficient Access to Chiral β‐Amino Amides†.

Comprehensive Summary: The first asymmetric hydrogenation of acyclic tetrasubstituted α,β‐unsaturated amides has been achieved by using Rh/DuanPhos complex as a catalyst, delivering chiral β‐amino amides with two contiguous chiral centers in excellent yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 96% ee), which provides efficient and concise access to valuable β‐amino amide derivatives. The gram‐scale reaction and efficient transformation of β‐amino amide to β‐amino acid and β‐amino cyanide demonstrated the utility of this methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]