Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Phosphonates by ClickFerrophos Ligands

Newly developed ClickFerrophos II ligands were applied in the hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated phosphonates. The use of a rhodium/ClickFerrophos II catalyst was examined in the hydrogenation of fimctionalized alpha,beta-unsaturated phosphonates and was revealed to be effective for beta-alkyl-beta-aryl or beta-dialkyl phosphonates, (Z)-beta-enolester phosphonates, and alpha-phenylethenyl phosphonates, producing the corresponding chiral phosphonates in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).