Synthesis of beta-aminoacid derivatives via kenantioselective hydrogenation of beta-substituted-beta-(acylamino)acrylates

This review presents recent advances in enantioselective hydrogenation of beta-amidoacrylates by means of rhodium and ruthenium catalysis. It reveals the strong efforts, which have been devoted to the discovery of new ligands and catalysts during the last decade. Metal catalysts containing optically pure bidentate and monodentate phosphorus ligands have made possible the generation of very efficient catalytic systems for the production of beta-aminoacid derivatives under mild and green conditions from a variety of (E)- and (Z)-beta-aryl- and beta-alkyl-(beta-acylamino)acrylates. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.