<i>C1</i>-Symmetric PNP Ligands for Manganese-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Ketones: Reaction Scope and Enantioinduction Model

Abstract

A family of ferrocene-based chiral PNP ligands is reported. These tridentate ligands were successfully applied in Mn-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones, giving high enantioselectivities (92%∼99% ee for aryl alkyl ketones) as well as high efficiencies (TON up to 2000). In addition, dialkyl ketones could also be hydrogenated smoothly. Manganese intermediates that might be involved in the catalytic cycle were analyzed. DFT calculation was carried out to help understand the chiral induction model. The Mn/PNP catalyst could discriminate two groups with different steric properties by deformation of the phosphine moiety in the flexible 5-membered ring.