Iridium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective and Diastereoselective Hydrogenation of Racemic β’‐Keto‐β‐Amino Esters via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

An iridium/f‐diaphos catalytic system for the enantioselective hydrogenation of α‐substituted β‐ketoesters via dynamic kinetic resolution is reported. The desired anti β’‐hydroxy‐β‐amino esters were obtained in moderate to good yields (60–95%) with 72–99% ees and 91:9 to 99:1 drs. This protocol tolerates various functional groups and could be easily conducted on gram scale with lower catalyst loading (TON up to 9100).