Highly efficient synthesis of chiral aromatic ketones via Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β,β-disubstituted enones

A succinct and efficient protocol was developed for the synthesis of chiral aromatic ketones via asymmetric hydrogenation of beta,beta-disubstituted enones with rhodium catalysts based on chiral bisphosphine thiourea ligands. A series of substrates (17 examples) was smoothly catalyzed to afford the corresponding chiral aromatic ketones in high conversions (>99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).