Asymmetric Hydrogenation via Capture of Active Intermediates Generated from Aza-Pinacol Rearrangement.

A highly enantioselective Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation of reactive intermediates generated by aza-pinacol rearrangement of N-sulfonyl aminoalcohols offers an efficient access to N-cycloalkyl substituted sulfonamides with up to 98% e.e.