Phosphinerhodium complexes as homogeneous catalysts: IX. Asymmetric hydrogenation of an olefin with catalysts formed from a chiral rhodium(I) car☐ylate and non-chiral phosphines

Rhodium car☐ylate complexes of the type [Rh(COD)(OOCR)]2 have been prepared and used with phosphines to provide in situ catalysts for olefin hydrogenation. Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-acetamido cinnamic acid methyl ester has been observed using the car☐ylate complex prepared froml(+)-mandelic acid. The highest optical yield (13%) was achieved with trimethylphosphine as non-chiral ligand.