Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Allylphthalimides: An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of β‐Methyl Chiral Amines

Abstract

High yields and up to 98 % ee have been achieved by asymmetric hydrogenation of allylphthalimides followed by hydrolysis to give β-methyl chiral amines by using a Ru–C3-tunephos catalyst (see scheme). The synthetic utility of this procedure has been demonstrated through the synthesis of the key intermediate of the LTs receptor antagonist (Zeneca ZD 3532).