A new chiral dipyridylphosphine ligand Xyl-P-Phos and its application in the Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-ketoesters

A new chiral dipyridylphosphine ligand Xyl-P-Phos has been synthesized and the structure of (S)-Xyl-P-Phos oxide has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ruthenium complex of this ligand Ru(R-Xyl-P-Phos)(C6H6)Cl-2. has been found to be a highly active, enantioselective and air-stable catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-ketoesters and shows good potential for industrial applications. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.