Enantioselective and Diastereoselective Ir-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of alpha-Substituted beta-Ketoesters via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

An iridium/f-amphol catalytic system for the enantioselective hydrogenation of alpha-substituted beta-ketoesters via dynamic kinetic resolution is reported. The desired anti products were obtained in high yields (up to 98%) with good diastereoselectivity (up to 96:4 diastereometic ratio (dr)) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee)). A catalytic model is proposed to explain the stereoselectivity.