Enantioselective synthesis of chiral sulfones by Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation: a facile approach to the preparation of chiral allylic and homoallylic compounds.

A highly efficient and enantioselective Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of unsaturated sulfones was developed. Chiral cyclic and acyclic sulfones were produced in excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Coupled with the Ramberg-Bäcklund rearrangement, this reaction offers a novel route to chiral allylic and homoallylic compounds in excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) and high yields (up to 94%).