Chiral olefin ligands-new "spectators" in asymmetric catalysis.

Abstract

Bidentate chiral olefin ligands such as 1 (shown with its catalytically active Rh complex 2) have been applied successfully in asymmetric catalysis recently. New coordination geometries are possible with this class of ligands, and the electronic character of the olefin ligand can be varied over a wide range, leading to catalysts with increased stability, selectivity, and catalytic activity.