Enantio- and Diastereoselective, Complete Hydrogenation of Benzofurans by Cascade Catalysis

Abstract

We report an enantio- and diastereoselective, complete hydrogenation of multiply substituted benzofurans in a one-pot cascade catalysis. The developed protocol facilitates the controlled installation of up to six new defined stereocenters and produces architecturally complex octahydrobenzofurans, prevalent in many bioactive molecules. A unique match of a chiral homogeneous ruthenium-N-heterocyclic carbene complex and an in situ activated rhodium catalyst from a complex precursor act in sequence to enable the presented process.

Keywords: benzofuran; cascade catalysis; enantioselective hydrogenation; heterogeneous catalysis; homogeneous catalysis.