Josiphos-Type Binaphane Ligands for Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 1-Aryl-Substituted Dihydroisoquinolines

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Convenient synthesis and useful application of a series of Josiphos-type binaphane ligands were described. The iridium complexes of these chiral diphosphines displayed excellent enantioselectivity and good reactivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of challenging 1-aryl-substituted dihydroisoquinoline substrates (full conversions, up to >99% ee, 4000 TON). The use of 40% HBr (aqueous solution) as an additive dramatically improved the asymmetric induction of these catalysts. This transformation provided a highly efficient and enantioselective access to chiral 1-aryl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines, which were of great importance and common in natural products and biologically active molecules.