Synthesis of novel chiral N, P-containing multidentate ligands and their applications in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

Abstract

Novel chiral PN(4)-type multidentate aminophosphine ligands have been successfully synthesized by Schiff-base condensation of bis(o-formylphenyl)phenylphosphane and various chiral amino-sulfonamides. Their structures were fully characterized by IR, EIMS and NMR. The catalytic systems, prepared in situ from the multidentate ligands and iridium(I) complexes, showed high activity in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of propiophenone in 2-propanol solution, leading to corresponding optical alcohol with up to 75% ee. (C) 2011 Yan Yun Li and Jing Xing Gao. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.