Metal-templated enantioselective enamine/H-bonding dual activation catalysis.

An octahedral bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complex catalyzes the enantioselective α-amination of aldehydes with catalyst loadings down to 0.1 mol%. In this metal-templated design, the metal serves as a structural center and provides the exclusive source of chirality, whereas the catalysis is mediated through the organic ligand sphere.