Supramolecular chiral phosphorous ligands based on a [2]pseudorotaxane complex for asymmetric hydrogenation

A new type of supramolecular chiral phosphorus-based ligands was prepared from easily available monodentate ligands through complexation between dibenzylammonium salt and dibenzo[24]crown-8 macrocycle. Rhodium complexes with these supramolecular ligands were prepared, and the supramolecular bidentate ligand-containing catalyst has demonstrated better catalytic activity for all substrates, and higher enantioselectivity except for the ortho-substituted substrates than those obtained from the parent monodentate ligand in the asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-dehydroamino acid esters. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.