Highly Enantioselective Construction of the α-Chiral Center of Amides via Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Amides

The chiral center at the cc-position of amides is installed in excellent enantioselectivity via the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides under mild conditions. Even aliphatic amides are suitable substrates. The presence of a hydrogen atom on the nitrogen of the amide is important for the enantioselectivity of the reaction.