Lonza Inc.

Ronald E Merrill

Martin Eyer

A process for the asymmetric hydrogenation of furoimidazole derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## with hydrogen in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to give the corresponding diastereomeric dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula: ##STR2## R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are protective groups, although R.sub.2 can be hydrogen. The dihydrofuroimidazole derivatives of the general formula II are intermediates for the preparation of (+)-biotin.

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Torrance, CA, United States of America

Ronald E Merrill