Hydrogenation of Prochiral Olefins with Rhodium Complexes of Optically Active Amidines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF00938734

2 together with the optically active amidines C6H5C(=NR)NHCH(CH3)(C6H5) I-V or their Li derivatives after activation with molecular hydrogen gives catalysts which at room temperature and 1.1 bar H2-pressure hydrogenate the prochiral substrates (Z)-α-cinnamic acid, itaconic acid, α-methylcinnamic acid, α-methylcinnamic aldehyde, and α-methylcinnamic alcohol as well as cyclohexene, benzene and toluene.Good hydrogenation activity of the new catalysts is in contrast to low optical induction which only in the hydrogenation of α-methylcinnamic alcohol with 1.5 to 2percent leads to values different from zero. - Keywords: Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation; Optical induction; Rh/amidine complexes