Chiral bidentate phosphabenzene-based ligands: synthesis, coordination chemistry, and application in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations

Novel hydroxy-functionalized phosphabenzenes were synthesized, which provide the possibility to prepare chiral phosphabenzene-phosphites. These systems act as bidentate ligands toward rhodium centers and the corresponding metal complexes were applied in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral substrates.