Phosphinamides catalysts containing a stereogenic phosphorus atom for the asymmetric reduction of ketones by borane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(96)00482-X

The effect of the configuration of the phosphorus atom in phosphinamide reduction catalysts has been studied through the preparation and use of a series of catalysts containing stereogenic phosphorus atoms of known configuration. The conclusion of this work is that a stereogenic centre at phosphorus can improve the selectivity of reductions using this catalyst, but is not sufficient in itself to generate the higher levels of selectivity which have been achieved with related catalysts. The X-ray crystallographic Structure of a key compound is also featured.