Enantioselective hydrogenation of (Z)- and (E)-β-arylenamides catalyzed by rhodium complexes of monodentate chiral spiro phosphorous ligands: a new access to chiral β-arylisopropylamines

A highly enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of both (Z)- and (E)-β-arylenamides was developed by using monodentate chiral spiro phosphite and phosphine ligands, respectively. The hydrogenation reaction provides an efficient access to optically active β-arylisopropylamines, important building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active compounds.