Nickel-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of β-Acetylamino Vinylsulfones: Access to Chiral β-Amido Sulfones

The nickel/(S)-Binapine complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-acetylamino vinylsulfones to afford chiral beta-Amido sulfones with excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 95% yields and >99% ee). This protocol has good compatibility with a series of substituted (Z)-beta-acetylamino vinylsulfones or Z/E isomeric mixtures. A gram-scale reaction has also been achieved in the presence of a 0.2 mol % catalyst loading.