| 20110245503 | ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF ASYMMETRIC BETA-CARBOLINE INTERMEDIATES - Described herein is a new asymmetric synthesis of imines to obtain β-carboline derivatives useful as key intermediate compounds for the synthesis of phosphodiesterase inhibitors using a new process with palladium or ruthenium hydride and/or nickel boride to reduce chiral intermediates. The use of chloroformate chiral auxiliaries is further described for the reduction and asymmetric hydrogenation of imines to obtain β-carboline derivatives and intermediate compounds used in the preparation thereof. | 10-06-2011 |