Chiral Electron-Rich PNP Ligand with a Phospholane Motif: Structural Features and Application in Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Despite the remarkable reactivity that was achieved by a series of transition-metal catalysts with a PNP type ligand, the electron-rich chiral PNP ligands have still been rarely reported because of the difficulties in synthesis and the nature of air-sensitivity. Herein, we report a novel chiral PNP ligand (Heng-PNP) with both a rigid backbone and a bulky tert-butyl group on the phospholane motif. We successfully obtained its divalent iron complex. The chiral environment of its Ir(III) complex was also discussed with quadrant analysis. This tridentate ligand was applied in iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of challenging diaryl ketones: up to 98% ee and 500 TON are achieved. Computational study showed that the twist of conjugate aryl group in the substrate (induced by the special chiral pocket of Ir/Heng-PNP complex) leads to the energy difference in the enantiodetermining step.