Asymmetric Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of α-Dehydroamino Ketones

Significance Despite the success achieved in hydrogenation of prochiral dehydroamino acids, asymmetric hydrogenation of α-dehydroamino ­ketones has been poorly explored. In this paper, the authors report rhodium-catalyzed hydrogen­ation of these compounds; the reactions proceed with high reactivity (1000 TON) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee).