Highly chemoselective hydrogenation of cyclic imides to ω-hydroxylactams or ω-hydroxyamides catalyzed by iridium catalysts

Several novel ferrocene-based PNN ligands were prepared, which were found to be highly effective catalysts (TON up to 50 000) for the homogeneous hydrogenation of cyclic imides with iridium. The hydrogenation mode (type I: ring opening/type II: non-ring opening) could be finely tuned by tiny changes in the ligands. Using this straightforward strategy, a plethora of omega-hydroxylactams and omega-hydroxyamides with different functional groups were obtained in high yield.

Automated summary

Novel ferrocene-based PNN ligands were prepared and found to be highly effective catalysts for the homogeneous hydrogenation of cyclic imides with iridium (TON up to 50,000). The hydrogenation mode could be finely tuned by tiny changes in the ligands, leading to high yields of a variety of omega-hydroxylactams and omega-hydroxyamides with different functional groups.