Synthesis of optically active N-hydroxylamines by asymmetric hydrogenation of nitrones with iridium catalysts

Asymmetric hydrogenation of nitrones with the iridium catalyst system, prepared from [IrCl(cod)]2, (S)-BINAP, and NBun4BH4, gives the corresponding N-hydroxylamines, which are important as biologically active compounds and precursors of amines, with high enantioselectivity (up to 86% ee).