Synthesis of novel chiral N, P-containing multidentate ligands and their applications in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

Novel chiral PN4-type multidentate aminophosphine ligands have been successfully synthesized by Schiff-base condensation of bis(o-formylphenyl)phenylphosphane and various chiral amino-sulfonamides. Their structures were fully characterized by IR, EI-MS and NMR. The catalytic systems, prepared in situ from the multidentate ligands and iridium(I) complexes, showed high activity in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of propiophenone in 2-propanol solution, leading to corresponding optical alcohol with up to 75% ee.