The asymmetric hydrogenation of imines using tridentate C2 diphosphine complexes of iridium(I) and rhodium(I)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00967-7

We report the synthesis of [M(PNP)(diene)]⁺ complexes (M = Ir or Rh; diene = COD or NBD), where PNP represents a tridentate diphosphine ligand of C₂ symmetry. These complexes are active catalysts for the hydrogenation of imines. Reduction of prochiral iminess in the presence of chiral ligands leads to the corresponding amines with 7 to 55% ee.