Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Substituted α,β-Unsaturated Acyclic Ketones: Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)-Mesembrine.

A highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted α,β-unsaturated acyclic ketones catalyzed by chiral spiro iridium complexes for the preparation of chiral 2-substituted allylic alcohols has been developed (ee up to 99.7%). This method provides a concise route to (−)-mesembrine (34% yield, 12 steps). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]