Asymmetric hydrogenation of alkyl(vinyl)thioethers: a promising approach to alpha-chiral thioethers

This paper describes the enantio selective hydrogenation of vinylthioethers. We show that thioether derivatives of maleic esters can be hydrogenated with full conversion and up to 60% ee, and that alpha-thioether cinnamic acids can be hydrogenated in 51% ee with modest conversion. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved