Tailor-made catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones

Asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by XylBINAP/chiral diamine-Ru(II), TolBINAP/PICA-Ru(II), eta(6)-arene/TsDPEN-Ru(II), and MsDPEN-Cp*lr(III) complexes affords a variety of secondary alcohols with high enantioselectivity. Complete conversion is attainable with a low catalyst loading. The high catalyst efficiency is rationalized by a novel metal-ligand cooperative mechanism.