Asymmetric reductive amination of beta-keto amides catalyzed by the chiral catalyst Ru(OAc)(2)((R)-dm-segphos) produces unprotected beta-amino amides with high yields and high enantioselectivities (94.7-99.5% ee). This "one-pot" methodology is general in substrate scope and has been successfully employed to produce sitagliptin with 99.5% ee and 91% assay yield. The excellent reaction efficiency is attributed to the remarkable tolerance to high concentrations of ammonium ion, the high chemoselectivity, and the high enantiosetectivity (99.5% ee) of the Ru catalyst system.
A highly efficient ruthenium‐catalyzed asymmetric reductive amination (ARA) of racemic β‐keto lactams with molecular hydrogen and ammonium salts is disclosed for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure primary amino lactams through dynamickineticresolution (DKR). By this approach, a range of syn primary β‐amino lactams were obtained in high yields with high chemo‐, enantio‐, and diastereoselectivity