Base-catalysed hydrolysis of ?-lactones: reactivity-structure correlations for 3-(substituted phenoxy- and thiophenoxymethylene)-(Z )-1(3H )-isobenzofuranones
The first asymmetric hydrogenation of 3‐ylidenephthalides has been developed using the IrI complex of a spiro[4,4]‐1,6‐nonadiene‐based phosphine‐oxazoline ligand (SpinPHOX) as the catalyst, affording a wide variety of chiral 3‐substituted phthalides in excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98 % ee). The utility of the protocol has been demonstrated in the asymmetricsynthesis of chiral drugs NBP and