Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of 2-substituted-2-alkenols catalysed by a ChenPhos–Rh complex

Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of a variety of 2-substituted-2-alkenols has been achieved using a ChenPhos–Rh complex as catalyst, giving ≥99% ee for most substrates. Optically active antifungal agent amorolfine was first synthesised using hydrogenation as the key step.