Novel chiral multidentate P3N4-type ligand for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Abstract

Novel chiral multidentate P3N4-type ligand has been synthesized and characterized by NMR and HRMS. Using i-PrOH as solvent and hydrogen source, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various ketones was investigated. The catalyst generated in situ from chiral multidentate aminophosphine ligand (R,R,R,R)-3 and IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2 exhibited highly catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity under mild conditions, achieving the corresponding chiral alcohols with up to 99% yield and 99% ee.