Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Phosphonates by ClickFerrophos Ligands

Newly developed ClickFerrophos II ligands were applied in the hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated phosphonates. The use of a rhodium/ClickFerrophos II catalyst was examined in the hydrogenation of functionalized α,β-unsaturated phosphonates and was revealed to be effective for β-alkyl-β-aryl or β-dialkyl phosphonates, (Z)-β-enolester phosphonates, and α-phenylethenyl phosphonates, producing the corresponding chiral phosphonates in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).