Transfer hydrogenation of α-branched ketimines:: Enantioselective synthesis of cycloalkylamines via dynamic kinetic resolution

The transfer hydrogenation of 2-substituted bicyclic and monocyclic ketimines using HCO2H/ Et3N as the hydrogen source and TsDPEN-based Ru(II) and Ir(III) catalysts proceeds with dynamic kinetic resolution to afford the corresponding cis-cycloalkylamines with moderate to excellent levels of diastero- and enantioselectivity. A one-pot procedure starting from ketones as starting materials with in situ formation of the reacting imines has also been developed.