Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Nonfunctionalized Olefins in Propylene Carbonate—Kinetic or Thermodynamic Control?

Iridium-catalyzed hydrogenations of nonfunctionalized olefins in propylene carbonate as the solvent allow efficient catalysis with much higher enantioselectivities in comparison with dichloromethane which is usually employed for these reactions. Experimental and computational studies of the hydrogenation of 1-methylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene have been performed to understand the limitation for this reaction.