A rhodium IBiox[(-)-menthyl] complex as a highly selective catalyst for the asymmetric hydroarylation of azabicyles: an alternative route to epibatidine.

The synthesis and characterization of a new chiral rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complex, Rh(IBiox[(-)-menthyl](CO)(2)Cl, is reported. In addition, the very high enantioselectivity exhibited by this complex, as a catalyst for the asymmetric hydroarylation of azabicycles, is demonstrated and applied to the synthesis of epibatidine.