One-pot tandem enantioselective hydrogenation–hydroformylation synthesis of cyclic α-amino acids

Five- and six-membered cyclic amino acids can be prepared in good yield with high ee (>95%) via tandem rhodium-DuPHOS catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation followed by a rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation–cyclisation sequence in a single pot. The synthesis can be achieved using Rh-DuPHOS as the sole catalyst.