The use of monodentate phosphites and phosphoramidites as effective ligands for Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation in supercritical carbon dioxide

Series of chiral monodentate phosphite-type ligands has been evaluated in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate in both dichloromethane and supercritical CO2. High reactivities (100% conversion in 1.5-3 h) and enantioselectivities (up to 90%) were obtained in the hydrogenation in scCO(2). (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.