Directing Effects in Homogeneous Hydrogenation with PF6

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00364a007

The presence of a ligating group, e.g., OH, CO2Me, C=O, or OMe, on an olefinic substrate is shown to direct the attack of the hydrogenation catalyst PF6/H2/CH2Cl2 from the face of the molecule containing the directing group.Isomerization is a minor side reaction in the cases studied.The origin of this effect is discussed and a model intermediate isolated.