RuHCl(diphosphine)(diamine):  Catalyst Precursors for the Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones and Imines¹

Abstract

New chiral complexes RuHCl(diphosphine)(diamine) are readily prepared from RuHCl(PPh 3 ) 3 . The diamine complexes, in the presence of alkoxide base, catalyze the hydrogenation of a wide variety of ketones and imines at 3 atm H 2, 20 °C, including prochiral imines to chiral amines in good to excellent enantiomeric excess.