Iridium/f-diaphos catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-imidazolyl aryl/alkyl ketones

The iridium/f-diaphos L1, L5 or L12 catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-imidazolyl aryl/alkyl ketones to afford two enantiomers of the desired chiral alcohols with high conversions (up to 99% yield) and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (61% - >99% ee) was realized for the first time. This protocol could be easily conducted on a gram-scale with a TON of 9700.

Automated summary

The asymmetric hydrogenation catalyzed by iridium/f-diaphos L1, L5 or L12 was successfully demonstrated for the first time, affording chiral alcohols with high conversions and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities. The protocol could be easily scaled up to gram-scale with a Turnover Number (TON) of 9700.