Chiral carborane-derived thiophosphites: A new generation of ligands for Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

A new class of chiral monodentate ligands - carborane-containing thiophosphites have been synthesized and tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins with the result of up to 99% ee. The dependence of the enantioselectivity on the electronic properties of the carboranyl substituent has been studied. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.