Patent ID: 7629470

Claim:
A process for the stereoselective synthesis of amide (I): wherein: R 1 is selected from: hydrogen, halogen, —C(O)OR e , —C(O)NR f 2 , —NR f 2 , and cyano; R 2 is selected from: hydrogen, halogen and hydroxyl; R 3 is R a is: each R c is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1-3 alkyl, cyano, methoxy and trifluoromethyl; each R d is independently selected from: halogen, hydroxy, cyano, methoxy and trifluoromethyl; R e is selected from: hydrogen, straight or branched chain C 1-10 alkyl, aryl-C 1-6 alkyl-, aryl, heteroaryl, wherein aryl and heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted with one to three R c substituents, and the alkyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three R d moieties; each R f is independently selected from hydrogen, straight or branched chain C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl-C 1-6 alkyl-, wherein alkyl moieties are unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R d substituents and wherein the phenyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three R c substituents; comprising treating an enamide compound formula (II): with hydrogen gas in the presence of a chiral catalyst.