ASYMMETRIC HYDROGENATION OF ENOL PHOSPHINATES CATALYZED BY A CHIRAL FERROCENYLPHOSPHINE- RHODIUM COMPLEX. ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE SECONDARY ALKYL ALCOHOLS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(01)82972-5

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of secondary alkyl alcohols (up to 78 percent ee) was accomplished by asymmetric hydrogenation of enol diphenylphosphinates, derived from prochiral ketones such as acetophenone, 3-methyl-2-butanone, and 2-octanone, in the presence of a cationic rhodium complex of (R)-1-<(S)-1',2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl>ethanol (BPPFOH).