Cobalt-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 1,1-Diarylethenes

Highly enantioselective cobalt-catalyzed hydrogenation of 1,1-diarylethenes was developed by using bench-stable chiral oxazoline iminopyridine-cobalt complexes as precatalysts. A unique o-chloride effect was observed to achieve high enantioselectivity. Easy removal as well as further transformations of the chloro group make this protocol a potentially useful alternative to synthesize various chiral 1,1-diarylethanes. This process can be successfully performed under 1 atm of hydrogen at room temperature on gram scale.