Asymmetric hydrogenation of pharmaceutically interesting substrates

The application of asymmetric hydrogenation to the manufacture of pharmaceutical intermediates has become increasingly prevalent in the past three to five years. This review focuses on the hydrogenation substrates and their use, rather than comparing the specific catalysts employed. The literature published between 2002 and 2003 is covered, with some pertinent examples from 2001, all of which demonstrate the increasing number of applications for this technology.