Efficient Asymmetric Hydrogenation of .ALPHA.-Amino Ketone Derivatives. A Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Phenylephrine, Levamisole, Carnitine and Propranolol.

Abstract

The complexes of pyrrolidine bisphosphine ligands (CPMs) with rhodium (I) were found to be efficient catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of α-amino ketone hydrochloride derivatives. Utilizing this methodology, we have developed efficient asymmetric syntheses of the optically active β-amino alcohols, phenylephrine, levamisole, carnitine and propranolol.