Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination for the Synthesis of Chiral β-Arylamines.

The highly efficient and direct asymmetric reductive amination of arylacetones catalyzed by an iridium complex for the preparation of enantiomerically pure β-arylamines is described. The monodentate phosphoramidite ligand exhibits superb reactivity (TONs of up to 20 000) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Additives played important roles in this reductive coupling reaction.