Carbosilane dendrimers peripherally functionalized with P-stereogenic diphosphine ligands and related rhodium complexes

The first carbosilane dendrimer functionalized with P-stereogenic diphosphine ligands was prepared along with its cationic rhodium derivative. A mononuclear rhodium model compound was also synthesized. Both species were used as catalysts in the hydrogenation of dimethylitaconate and the results compared with those obtained with the related rhodium-containing P-stereogenic monophosphine dendrimers.