Asymmetric Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of 1,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-ones using phosphoramidites

A series of phosphoramidite ligands was tested in the asymmetric hydrogenation of 4-arylsubstituted 1,3-dihydro-2H-benzodiazepine-2-ones and up to 52% ee was achieved. The effects of various factors (solvents, hydrogen pressure, and addition of phosphine ligands) on the hydrogenation were studied.