New efficient synthesis of Taniaphos ligands: application in ruthenium- and rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenations

A third generation of Taniaphos 1,5-diphosphine ferrocene ligands with the new and interesting (S-Fc,3S)- and (R-Fc,3R)-configurations has been prepared. With these ligands, the ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation of C=O bonds proceeded with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >99% de and 97% ee). Good results were also obtained for the rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of C=C (up to 96% ee) and C=N bonds (up to 65% ee). (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.