Highly Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Cyclic Imides to ω-hydroxylactams or ω-hydroxyamides Catalyzed by Iridium Catalysts

Several novel Ferrocene-based PNN ligands were prepared, which were found as highly effective catalysts (TON up to 50,000) in the homogeneous hydrogenation of cyclic imides with Iridium. The hydrogenation mode (Type I: ring opening/Type II: non-ring opening) could be finely tuned by tiny change of the ligands. By utilizing this forthright strategy, a plethora of ω-hydroxylactams and ω-hydroxyamides with different functional groups were obtained in high yield.