Asymmetric hydrogenation via architectural and functional molecular engineering

RuCl2(phosphine)(2)(1,2-diamine) complexes, coupled with an alkaline base in 2-propanol, allows for preferential hydrogenation of a C=O function over coexisting conjugated or nonconjugated C=C linkages, a nitro group, halogen atoms, and various heterocycles. The functional group selectivity is based on the novel metal-ligand bifunctional mechanism. The use of appropriate chiral diphosphines and diamines results in rapid and productive asymmetric hydrogenation of a range of aromatic, hetero-aromatic, and olefinic ketones. The versatility of this method is manifested by the asymmetric synthesis of various biologically significant chiral compounds.