Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α‐Alkylidene Succinimides

Abstract

Not to be out PhOXed! The title reaction provides a new approach to chiral succinimide derivatives with excellent yields and ee values by using a low catalyst loading (0.05 mol %) and mild reaction conditions. Chiral 3-benzyl pyrrolidines and 1-hydroxypyrrolidine-2,5-diones, important structural motifs in natural products and pharmaceuticals, could be readily prepared. BARF−=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate.