Asymmetric hydroformylation and hydrogenation catalyzed by chiral rhodium and ruthenium complexes of phosphorylated 2,2 '-bis(diphenyl-phosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyls

In situ-generated rhodium complexes of mono- and bisphosphorylated enantiop ure BINAP ligands have been used for the asymmetric hydroformylation of sty rene and vinylacetate. Corresponding Ru-complexes have been investigated in the homogeneous and biphasic asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconat e. An increase in the enantioselectivity of about 6-9% compared to BINAP wa s observed in the vinylacetate hydroformylation. For the aqueous biphasic h ydroformylation of styrene the most enantio selective rhodium diphosphine c atalyst (27% e.e.) up to now has been found. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.