The Use of Phosphite-Type Ligands in the Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Heterocyclic Compounds

A series of chiral phosphite-type ligands was tested in asymmetric Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of quinolines and 2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino(3,2,1-j,k)carbazole. Hydrogenation of quinaldine hydrochloride provided superior enantioselectivity up to 65% ee compared to quinaldine free base. The ligands were tested for the first time in the asymmetric Ir-Ircatalyzed hydrogenation of 2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino(3,2,1-j,k)carbazole yielding the antidepressant drug, pirlindole. Chirality 26:56-60, 2013. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.