This review summarizes the recent advances (2016–2023) in the stereoselective metal-catalyzed hydrogenation of cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones, lactams and lactones since considerable developments were made. Where possible the application of these methodologies in synthesis is outlined.
The highly enantioselective hydrogenation of allylic sulfones catalyzed by Rh-(R,R)-f-spiroPhos for synthesis of chiral β-ester sulfones has been developed for the first time achieving high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (92–99.9% ee).
This review highlights the progress achieved in transition-metal (ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, and nickel) catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated sulfones including substrate scopes, catalytic mechanisms, and applications.
Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts have become an efficient synthon for the construction of C–C or C–heteroatom bonds, and have been widely used in the asymmetric synthesis of various new optically pure compounds.
A highly chemo- and enantioselective hydrogenation of arylidene chromanones/cyclohexanones catalyzed by the Rh-f-spiroPhos complex has been developed, providing chiral chromanones with up to 98% ee and achieving high turnover numbers (TON = 2000).