Lutidine‐Based Chiral Pincer Mn Catalysts for Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Ketones

A series of Mn(I) complexes containing lutidine‐based chiral pincer ligands with modular and tunable structures has been developed. The complex features unprecedentedly high activity (up to 9800 TON), broad substrate scope (81 examples), good functional group tolerance, and excellent enantioselectivity (85~98% ee) in the hydrogenation of various ketones, which are rare in earth‐abundant metal catalyzed hydrogenation. The utilities of the protocol have been demonstrated in the asymmetric synthesis of a variety of key intermediates of chiral drugs. Preliminary mechanistic investigation indicates that an outer‐sphere mode of substrate‐catalyst interaction probably dominates the catalysis.

from A via a.sfakia on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2EhEK4g