Practical Asymmetric Synthesis of a Chiral Piperazinone Derivative

A practical asymmetric route to a chiral piperazinone derivative, a fragment of MK-3207, is reported. The amine-bearing benzylic stereocenter is introduced via an asymmetric Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation of a cyclic sulfimidate in the presence of a chiral phosphine ligand. An efficient synthesis of the hydrogenation substrate is described, together with process development of the hydrogenation step and elaboration of the resulting cyclic sulfamate product to the desired piperazinone.