Laboratoire de Catalyse et Synthèse Organique, CNRS: UMR 5622, CPE, Bât. 308, 43 bd. du 11 novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
Abstract:
The asymmetric reduction of enamides with molecular hydrogen and catalytic amounts of rhodium, iridium or ruthenium complexes containing chiral N,S-ligands is reported. Various enantiomerically pure mono- and dithioureas were examined. The C2-symmetry of the dithiourea ligands seems essential to the enantioselectivity achieved. Ee values of up to 70% were observed.