Highly Selective Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Oximes to Hydroxylamine Derivatives

A recent work published in Science by Cramer and co-workers demonstrates chiral cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes can selectively catalyze the hydrogenation of carbon-nitrogen double bond of oximes with the aid of acid. Various oximes can be hydrogenated to the corresponding N-alkoxy amines in good to excellent yields with good enantioselectivity.