Catalyst for asymmetric (transfer) hydrogenation

Process for the preparation of a ligand of formula 1, in which a diol, having the formula HO—Cn—OH with n as defined above, is reacted with P(N(R3)2)3 wherein R3 is methyl or ethyl, followed by reaction with R1R2NH, where R1 and R2 each independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group or may form a heterocyclic ring together with the N-atom to which they are bound.

Process for the preparation of a ligand of formula 1, in which a diol having the formula HO—Cn—OH with n as defined above, is reacted with PCl3 followed by reaction with R1R2NH, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl alkaryl or aralkyl group or may form a heterocyclic ring together with the N-atom to which they are bound.

Process for the asymmetric (transfer) hydrogenation of an olefinically unsaturated compound, ketone, imine or oxime derivate in the presence of a hydrogen donor and of a catalyst, wherein a catalyst represented by the formula MLaXbSc is used, wherein M is a transition metal, to be chosen from rhodium, iridium and ruthenium, and X is a counter ion and S is a ligand, a ranges from 0.5 to 3 and b and c, each independently, range from 0 to 2, characterized in that L is a chiral ligand of formula (I),

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• where Cn together with the two O-atoms and the P-atom forms a substituted or non-substituted ring with 2-4 C-atoms;
• and R1 and R2 each independently stand for H, an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group or may form a heterocyclic ring together with the N-atom to which they are bound.