Enantioselective Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Formates Catalyzed by Novel Ruthenium Phosphine Complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)82111-4

Hydrogen transfer from the formic acid/triethylamine (5:2) azeotrope to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids is effectively catalyzed by ruthenium complexes of general formula 3-C3H5)(diphosphine).If a chiral diphosphine is employed, the saturated acids are obtained in up to 93percent ee, the most active and selective catalyst being formed with BINAP.