Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Isoquinolines and Pyridines Using Hydrogen Halide Generated in Situ as Activator

By employing halogenide
trichloroisocyanuric acid as a traceless
activation reagent, a general iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation
of isoquinolines and pyridines is developed with up to 99% ee. This
method avoids tedious steps of installation and removal of the activating
groups. The mechanism studies indicated that hydrogen halide generated
in situ acted as an activator of isoquinolines and pyridines.