Asymmetric activation of conformationally flexible monodentate phosphites for enantioselective hydrogenation

A new method is presented with which achiral, conformationally flexible biphenylphosphites can be activated by easily available chiral alcohols to give monodentate phosphite ligands that are effective in rhodium-catalysed enantio selective hydrogenation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.