Catalytic Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Using copper(I)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

A simple and air-stable copper(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene complex enables the catalytic hydrogenation of hitherto unreactive enoates and enamides employing H2 as terminal reducing agent. This atom economic transformation replaces commonly employed hydrosilanes and can also be carried out in an asymmetric fashion.