Highly regio- and enantioselective synthesis of N-substituted 2-pyridones: iridium-catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric allylic amination.

The first iridium-catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric allylic amination reaction with 2-hydroxypyridines has been developed, thus providing a highly efficient synthesis of enantioenriched N-substituted 2-pyridone derivatives from readily available starting materials. This protocol features a good tolerance of functional groups in both the allylic carbonates and 2-hydroxypyridines, thereby delivering multifunctionalized heterocyclic products with up to 98% yield and 99% ee.