Highly enantioselective asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-acetamido dehydroamino acid derivatives using a three-hindered quadrant rhodium catalyst.

[reaction: see text] A previously reported three-hindered quadrant chiral ligand and its corresponding rhodium complex provide high enantioselectivity for the asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-acetamido dehydroamino acid substrates. Both (E)- and (Z)-substrates are hydrogenated with high enantioselectivity in all of the reported examples. Asymmetric hydrogenation of a cyclic beta-acetamido dehydroamino acid substrate in 85% ee is also reported.