RuHCl(diphosphine)(diamine): Catalyst precursors for the stereoselective hydrogenation of ketones and imines

New chiral complexes RuHCl(diphosphine)-(diamine) are readily prepared from RuHCl(PPh3)(3). The diamine complexes, in the presence of alkoxide base, catalyze the hydrogenation of a wide variety of ketones and imines at 3 atm H-2, 20 degreesC, including prochiral imines to chiral amines in good to excellent enantiomeric excess.