Ru-catalyzed highly chemo- and enantioselective hydrogenation of γ-halo-γ,δ-unsaturated-β-keto esters under neutral conditions.

Finely-tuned ruthenium-catalyzed highly chemoselective and enantioselective hydrogenation of γ-halo-γ,δ-unsaturated-β-keto esters at the carbonyl group was achieved under neutral reaction conditions (ee up to 97%). Both olefin and alkenyl halogen moieties, which are labile under hydrogenation conditions, remained untouched during the reaction.