ASYMMETRIC HYDROGENATION CATALYZED BY RHODIUM COMPLEXES OF CHIRAL TERTIARY PHOSPHINES

摘要

A method for the homogeneous catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of alkyl and alkenyl substituted acrylic acids wherein these acids are selectively hydrogenated at the double bond alpha,beta to the acid function, said hydrogenations are catalyzed by rhodium complexes of chiral tertiary phosphines. This method provides a route to chiral dihydrogeranic acid and other intermediates useful in the synthesis of chiral vitamin E, citronellal, and menthol. Novel chiral tertiary phosphines are also disclosed.