Ferrocenyl bis-phosphine ligands bearing sulfinyl, sulfonyl or sulfenyl groups: applications in asymmetric hydrogenation and allylic alkylation reactions

A new series of chiral ferrocenyl bis-phosphine ligands have been synthesized. Elements of planar and central chirality have been incorporated into a ferrocene backbone through sulfinyl, sulfonyl and sulfenyl groups at the ortho-position to the phosphines. The effectiveness of these ligands has been demonstrated in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenations and Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations.

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(RS,RS)-Bis(tert-butyl-sulfinyl)ferroceneC18H26FeO2S2[α]D25=-566.0 (c 1.0, CHCl3)