Asymmetric hydrogenation of furoimidazole derivatives

摘要

A process for the asymmetric hydrogenation of furoimidazole derivatives of the general formula: <IMAGE> I with hydrogen in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to give the corresponding diastereomeric dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula: <IMAGE> II R1 and R2 are protective groups, although R2 can be hydrogen. The dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula II are intermediates for the preparation of (+)-biotin.