Synthesis of chiral Rh-bichep complexes, highly efficient catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenations

Abstract

Chiral cationic and neutral Rh complexes RhX(bichep)(nbd) (XCl,ClO 4; nbd=norbornadiene;bichep=2,2′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl) are highly active and excellent catalysts for enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral olefins and ketones under mild reaction conditions.