Chiral Heterocylic Carbenes in Asymmetric Homogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

The ee values of the hydrosilylation of acetophenone with the rhodium catalyst 1 are only small; nevertheless, the robustness of the catalyst is impressive: The chiral carbene ligand, which is readily available and can be easily varied, remains bound to the metal in solution to over 100°C. Thus, no excess of ligand is necessary in the catalytic reactions.