A bisphosphepine ligand with stereogenic phosphorus centers for the practical synthesis of β-aryl-β-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation

Excellent enantioselectivities and reactivities were observed in the hydrogenation of a variety of methyl (Z)-β-aryl-β-(acetyl-amino)acrylates in the presence of a rhodium catalyst with the chiral ligand binapine (see scheme). This bisbinaphthophosphepine ligand has stereogenic phosphorus centers and shows promise as a powerful ligand for application in the synthesis of chiral β-aryl-β-amino acids by asymmetric hydrogenation.