Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Isobutyrophenone Using a [(Diphosphine) RuCl₂ (1,4-Diamine)] Catalyst

Abstract

[reaction: see text] The use of three chiral 1,4-diamines in the [(diphosphine) RuCl(2) (diamine)] catalyst system is demonstrated in the hydrogenation of acetophenone. The use of a 1,4-diamine offers unique properties that allow tuning of the catalyst system. These include the first example of the use of a racemic diamine in combination with a chiral phosphine, which gives 95% ee in the hydrogenation of isobutyrophenone.