Josiphos-Type Binaphane Ligands for Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 1-Aryl-Substituted Dihydroisoquinolines

Org Lett. 2019 Nov 1;21(21):8641-8645. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b03251. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Abstract

Convenient synthesis and useful application of a series of Josiphos-type binaphane ligands were described. The iridium complexes of these chiral diphosphines displayed excellent enantioselectivity and good reactivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of challenging 1-aryl-substituted dihydroisoquinoline substrates (full conversions, up to >99% ee, 4000 TON). The use of 40% HBr (aqueous solution) as an additive dramatically improved the asymmetric induction of these catalysts. This transformation provided a highly efficient and enantioselective access to chiral 1-aryl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines, which were of great importance and common in natural products and biologically active molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't