Iridium/f-Amphox-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Styrylglyoxylamides

Abstract

We report an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reaction for the preparation of chiral homophenylalanine derivatives. Catalyzed by an iridium/f-amphox complex, the asymmetric hydrogenation of styrylglyoxylamides was conducted smoothly with turnover numbers of up to 10,000 and up to 98% ee. This method was successfully applied in a synthesis of a fragment of benazepril, a drug used for the treatment of high blood pressure.