Rh Catalyzed Asymmetric Olefin Hydrogenation: Enamides, Enol Esters and Beyond

Abstract This digest Letter comprises recent advances in the synthesis of chiral building blocks that uses rhodium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins. The first part of this revision covers the examples that have broadened the scope of the hydrogenation of enamides and enol esters. The second part focuses on the hydrogenation of alternative classes of substrates like unsaturated carboxylic acids, nitroderivatives or phosphonates among others. Overall, the diversity of structures and functional groups of substrates, along with the outstanding levels of catalyst efficiency shown in these contributions, have further established this reaction as a most valuable tool in asymmetric synthesis.