Iridium−Monodentate Phosphoramidite-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Substituted Benzophenone N−H Imines

Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected benzophenone N−H imines 1a−r using Ir−(S)-N-benzyl-N-methyl-MonoPhos as a catalyst provides chiral amines 2a−r in 80−96% yield with enantioselectivities up to 98% ee (18 examples) for ortho-substituted substrates.