Modular P-Chirogenic Aminophosphane-Phosphinite Ligands for Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation: A New Model for Prediction of Enantioselectivity

An original series of P-chirogenic aminophosphane-phosphinite (AMPP) ligands has been synthesized from (+)- or(–)-ephedrine in 23 to 61 % overall yields by a versatile three-step methodology. The AMPP ligands, bearing either one or two P-chirogenic centers, were used in the form of rhodium complexes for the catalyzed hydrogenation of α-acetamidocinnamate as a test reaction. Notably, even with AMPP ligands all derived from (+)-ephedrine, variation of the substituent on a P-center allowed the phenylalanine derivatives to be obtained in either (S) or (R) absolute configurations, with ee values ranging from 99 % (S) to 88 % (R). The asymmetric induction was analyzed with the aid of X-ray struct…