Synthesis of a new chiral bisphosphine ligand, MOCBP, and its use in rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a cyclic enamide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(94)00355-F

A new chiral bisphosphine ligand (6) bearing a cyclobutane framework was readily prepared by using diastereoselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition. Its rhodium(I) complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of a cyclic enamide, N-acetyl-1-methylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (9), affording (R)-(-)-N-acetylsalsolidine (10) in up to 80.6% ee.