Highly Enantioselective Ir-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Pyrazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidine for the Synthesis of Zanubrutinib

J Org Chem. 2024 Feb 2;89(3):1748-1752. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02446. Epub 2024 Jan 23.

Abstract

A highly enantioselective catalytic reduction of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine to zanubrutinib has been realized by the Ir/(R)-t-Bu-FcPhox complex. This chiral product could be obtained in up to >99% ee in the asymmetric transformation without any other additives, providing a new route for the asymmetric synthesis of zanubrutinib.