PHOX-Based Phosphite-Oxazoline Ligands for the Enantioselective Ir-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Cyclic β-Enamides

Simple Ir-PHOX-based phosphite-oxazoline catalysts have been successfully applied in the asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic β-enamides providing better enantioselectivities than previous effective Ru and Rh catalysts. This protocol allows the synthesis of 2-aminotetralines and 3-aminochromanes, key structural units found in many therapeutic agents and biologically active natural products, in high chemical yields and enantioselectivities (ee’s up to 99%). High enantioselectivities have also been achieved in the hydrogenation of cyclic α-enamides.