Organocatalytic Enantioselective Reduction of Pyridines

Abstract

Metal-free at last! The first enantioselective organocatalytic reduction of pyridine derivatives leads to hexahydrochinolinones and tetrahydropyridines in good yields and with excellent enantioselctivities (up to 92 % ee; see scheme). These compounds are starting materials for the synthesis of various natural products.