Asymmetric hydrogenation by ruthenium cluster hydrides containing atropoisomeric diphosphine ligands

Abstract

Ruthenium clusters containing atropoisomeric diphosphines, namely [Ru 4(μ-H) 4(CO) 10{( S)-(−)-BINAP}], where BINAP is 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl and [Ru 4(μ-H) 4(CO) 10{( S)-(−)-MOBIPH}], where MOBIPH is 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-6,6′-dimethoxy-1,1′-diphenyl, have been used as catalysts in the asymmetric hydrogenation of some prochiral substrates containing CC or CO double bonds. With the BINAP derivative optical purities up to 30% were achieved.