Hydrogenation of N-acylcarbamates and N-acylsulfonamides catalyzed by a bifunctional [Cp*Ru(PN)] complex.

Awakening of the Cp one: The bifunctional complex 1 facilitates the interaction with substrates bearing less electrophilic carbon atoms than ketones, epoxides, and imides. The title reaction was applicable to the reduction of Evans' asymmetric alkylation products to the chiral alcohols along with good recovery of the chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary. EWG = electron-withdrawing group.