Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric trans -selective hydrogenation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines.

The development of the first asymmetric trans -selective hydrogenation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines is reported. Utilizing [Ir(cod)Cl] 2 and a commercially available chiral Josiphos ligand, a variety of differentially substituted isoquinolines are hydrogenated to produce enantioenriched trans -tetrahydroisoquinolines in good yield with high levels of enantioselectivity. Directing group studies demonstrate that the hydroxymethyl functionality at the C1 position is critical for hydrogenation to favor the trans -diastereomer. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that non-coordinating chlorinated solvents and halide additives are crucial to enable trans -selectivity.