Asymmetric Homogeneous Hydrogenation of 2-Pyridones

Abstract

An asymmetric homogeneous hydrogenation of 2(1H)-pyridones has been developed, using a ruthenium complex bearing two chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. To the best of our knowledge, the presented reaction is the first example of a homogeneous asymmetric conversion of 2-pyridones into the corresponding enantioenriched 2-piperidones.