New synthetic strategy for chiral 2-oxazolidinones derivatives via rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

Asymmetric hydrogenation of 4-substituted cyclic enamido esters catalyzed by a rhodium–TangPhos complex provides an efficient method for the synthesis of chiral 4-substituted oxazolinones with excellent yields and good enantioselectivities. The products are valuable chiral building blocks and the applications as chiral auxiliaries and pharmaceuticals are well-known.