Iridium-Monodentate Phosphoramidite-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Substituted Benzophenone N-H Imines

Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected benzophenone N-H imines 1a-r using 1r-benzyl-N-methyl-MonoPhos as a catalyst provides chiral amines 2a-r in 80-96% yield with enantioselectivities up to 98% ee (18 examples) for ortho-substituted substrates.