Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 2- and 2,3-Substituted Quinoxalines with Chiral Cationic Ruthenium Diamine Catalysts

Abstract

The enantioselective hydrogenation of 2-alkyl- and 2-aryl-subsituted quinoxalines and 2,3-disubstituted quinoxalines was developed by using the cationic Ru(η(6)-cymene)(monosulfonylated diamine)(BArF) system in high yields with up to 99% ee. The counteranion was found to be critically important for the high enantioselectivity and/or diastereoselectivity.