Cationic iridium(1) complexes of chiral phosphanodihydrooxazoles were uscd as catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral N-alkyl and N-aryl imines. The complexes are air-stable crystalline solids that can be readily prepared and are easy to handle. The structures of two complexes were determined by X-ray analysis. For N-alkyl imines of acetophenone, enantiomeric excesses of up to 79% were obtained. Dialkyl ketimines and cyclic imines showed lower reactivity and selectivity. A remarkable dilution effect was observed for the hydrogenation of the N-phenyl imine of acetophenone: decreasing the substrate and catalyst concentration led to a signifi-
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