Iridium Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of N-Iminopyridinium Ylides: Mechanistic Insights

Abstract

Mechanistic insights of the efficient iridium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-iminopyridinium ylides are reported. Using NMR and mass spectrometry, the nature of the pre-catalyst and role of iodine was studied. The effect of solvent as well as an extensive ligand screening is presented. Deuteration experiments also show that C-H(D) insertion pathways occur in competition with the hydrogenation process.