Iridium-catalyzed chemoselective reductive nucleophilic addition to N-methoxyamides.

Iridium-catalyzed reductive nucleophilic addition to N-methoxyamides is reported. The reaction took place in high yields in the presence of a variety of sensitive functional groups such as esters and nitro groups. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction of N-methoxyamides proceeded without equilibrium to an enamine intermediate in contrast to that with tert-amides.