Synthesis and application of chiral monodentate phosphines in asymmetric hydrogenation

Chiral monodentate phosphines ligands were the first ligands to be investigated in the field of asymmetric hydrogenation. After years of neglect, these ligands have recently experienced a new renaissance. This review discusses the structural design of the most successful monodentate phosphines and, following a historical line, reports on their application in the asymmetric hydrogenation of CC and CO bonds.