Asymmetric Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of 2‐ and 2,9‐Substituted 1,10‐Phenanthrolines

Abstract

A ‘Phen'atic: The title reaction proceeds in the presence of the chiral cationic ruthenium diamine catalyst (R,R)-1 (Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonyl, Ts=4-toluenesulfonyl). Both chiral 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- and 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10-octahydro-1,10- phenanthroline derivatives could be obtained in high yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity.