Enantioselective hydrogenation of tetrasubstituted olefins of cyclic beta-(acylamino)acrylates.

Hydrogenation of a series of cyclic beta-(acylamino)acrylates with tetrasubstituted olefins has been accomplished successfully with the use of Ru catalysts with chiral biaryl ligands such as C3-TunaPhos, and up to over 99% ee's have been achieved. This methodology provides an efficient catalytic method for the synthesis of both cis and trans chiral cyclic beta-amino acid derivatives.