Rhodium-Mediated Asymmetric Hydroformylation with a Novel Bis(diazaphospholidine) Ligand

Abstract

A gas pressure of only 8 bar is required for the effective asymmetric hydroformylation of vinyl acetate with a new class of rhodium(I) catalysts. Key to successful catalysis is the chiral bis(diazaphospholidine) ligand ESPHOS. With 0.250 mol % of this catalyst, hydroformylation of vinyl acetate was achieved in 90 % yield, a branched:linear ratio of 17.3:1, and 89 % ee (see scheme).