Asymmetric hydrogenation of N-substituted maleimides by cultured plant cells

The cultured suspension cells of higher plants hydrogenated the C-C double bond of N-substituted maleimides to afford the corresponding succinimides. Hydrogenation of N-phenyl-2-methylmaleimide by the cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum proved to be highly enantioselective and gave (R)-N-phenyl-2-methylsuccinimide (99% ee). (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.