Enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones with planar chiral ruthenocene-based phosphinooxazoline ligands

1,2-Disubstituted planar chiral ruthenocene-based phosphinooxazoline ligands (Rc-PHOX, 3 and 4) were synthesized easily and applied in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to chiral alcohols using 2-propanol as a source of hydrogen with excellent enantioselectivity and high catalytic activity.