Chiral phosphinites as efficient ligands for enantioselective Ru(II), Rh(I) and Ir(III)-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reactions

Abstract

Metal-catalyzed enantioselective transfer reduction of ketones to enantiomerically enriched chiral alcohols has recently attracted attention. Therefore, a series of methyl alkyl or alkyl/aryl ketones have been reduced by using Ru(II), Rh(I) and Ir(III) catalysts based on C 2-symmetric chiral ferrocenyl phosphinite ligands. The corresponding optically active secondary alcohols were obtained in excellent conversions and moderate-to-good enantioselectivities. The best results were obtained with an iridium catalyst, giving up to 98% conversion and 80% ee.