Cooperative Iron-Broensted Acid Catalysis: Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Quinoxalines and 2H-1,4-Benzoxazines

Come together! A selective Fe-catalysed enantioselective reduction of quinoxalines and benzoxazines with hydrogen is demonstrated. Key to success is the combination of a chiral Broensted acid and a well-defined non-chiral Fe hydrogenation catalyst. This methodology constitutes an attractive and environmentally favourable alternative to well-established asymmetric hydrogenations by using precious-metal-based catalysts.