Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Heteroaromatics Bearing a Hydroxyl Group, 3-Hydroxypyridinium Salts

A highly enantioselective hydrogenation of heteroaromatics bearing a hydroxyl group, 3-hydroxypyridinium salts, has been successfully developed using chiral iridium catalyst, providing a direct access to trans 6-substituted piperidin-3-ols with up to 95% ee. Swern oxidation of the hydrogenation products affords chiral 6-substituted piperidin-3-ones, which are easily reduced to cis 6-substituted piperidin-3-ols using K-selectride.