Rationally designed improvement of the bis(phospholano)ethane ligand for asymmetric hydrogenation leads to a reappraisal of the factors governing the enantioselectivity of Duphos catalysts

Abstract

Enhancement of enantioselectivity in hydrogenations catalysed by δ vs. λ rhodium chelate complexes of trans-1,2-bis(phospholano)cyclopentanes cannot be rationalised using the current quadrant model for Duphos ligands and therefore a new consistent model is suggested.