Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of β-ketoesters using new BINAP complexes of ruthenium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(93)80398-U

Two new, air-stable BINAP complexes of ruthenium(II), (RCp)Ru(S-(-)-BINAP)Cl (R = H, CH3) have been prepared in good yield from the reaction of (RCp)Ru(PPh3)2Cl with S-(-)-BINAP in refluxing toluene.The structure of the methylcyclopentadienyl analog has been determined by X-ray crystallography.Both complexes have been found to be effective homogeneous catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of β-ketoesters.