Highly enantioselective Rh-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of N-sulfonyl ketimines

Several imine species comprising N-sulfinyl and N-sulfonyl ketimme, oxime, and enamine derivatives were subjected to asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in an azeotropic mixture of formic acid/triethylamine Among them, the Rh-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of N-sulfonyl ketimine afforded the corresponding 1-arylalkylamines in excellent yield and with high enantioselectivity (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved