Synthesis of new chiral diphosphine ligand (BisbenzodioxanPhos) and its application in asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation

The new chiral diphosphine ligand [(5,6), (5′,6′)-bis(1,2-ethylenedioxy)biphenyl-2,2′-diyl]bis(diphenylphosphine) (BisbenzodioxanPhos) has been successfully prepared and used in ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-(6′-methoxy-2′-naphthyl)propenoic acid and β-keto esters with high enantioselectivity (92.2% and up to 99.5% ee, respectively).