Application of monodentate secondary phosphine oxides, a new class of chiral ligands, in Ir(I)-catalyzed asymmetric imine hydrogenation

Secondary phosphine oxides were prepared from R1PCl2 and R2MgBr, followed by hydrolysis. They were obtained in an enantiopure form by preparative chiral HPLC. These new monodentate ligands were tested in the iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation of imines at 25 bar. Enantioselectivities up to 76% were obtained at L/Ir = 2. Addition of pyridine (Pyr/Ir = 1:2) raised the ee to 83%. Using pyridine as an additive allowed reduction of the L/Ir ratio to 1 without reduction of ee