Asymmetric hydrogenations of ketones catalyzed by Ru-achiral phosphine-enantiopure diamine complexes

Five new complexes containing achiral phosphines and chiral diamine were synthesized and characterized. Their hydrogenation results indicated that a phosphine ligand which was of a large bite angle or an electron-donated group could improve the catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of carbonyl group. The electron factors of phosphine ligand had no remarkable effects on the e.e. value of hydrogenation products.