Asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated phosphonates with Rh-BisP* and Rh-MiniPHOS catalysts:: Scope and mechanism of the reaction

Optically active 1,2-bis(alkylmethylphosphino)ethanes and bis(alkylmethylphosphino)methanes are unique diphosphine ligands combining the simple molecular structure and P-stereogenic asymmetric environment. This work shows that these ligands exhibit excellent enantioselectivity in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated phosphonic acid derivatives. The enantioselective hydrogenation mechanism elucidated by NMR study is also described.