Iridium-catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Β-Keto Esters with F-Amphox Ligands

The iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-keto esters with chiral tridentate P,N,N-ligands (f-amphox) has been developed. Under the optimized conditions, a wide range of β-keto esters can be hydrogenated smoothly, affording the corresponding β-hydroxy esters in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).