Novel Amido-Complexes for the Efficient Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Imines

Novel N,N,P ligand stabilized rhodium complexes exhibiting high activities and enantioselectivities in the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-aryl imines are introduced. The ligands were synthesized from inexpensive starting materials and their modular design allows for the introduction of a broad variety of substitution patterns. Additionally, a rather low catalyst loading could be employed.