Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric trans-selective hydrogenation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines

The development of the first asymmetric trans-selective hydrogenation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines is reported. Utilizing [Ir(cod)Cl](2) and a commercially available chiral Josiphos ligand, a variety of differentially substituted isoquinolines are hydrogenated to produce enantioenriched trans-tetrahydroisoquinolines in good yield with high levels of enantioselectivity. Directing group studies demonstrate that the hydroxymethyl functionality at the C1 position is critical for hydrogenation to favor the trans-diastereomer. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that non-coordinating chlorinated solvents and halide additives are crucial to enable trans-selectivity.