Highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral cyclic allylic amines via Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

Highly regioselective and enantioselective asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic dienamides catalyzed by an Rh-DuanPhos complex has been developed, which provides a readily accessible method for the synthesis of chiral cyclic allylic amines in excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The products are valuable chiral building blocks and could be easily transformed to multisubstituted cyclohexane derivatives.