Chiral bidentate phosphabenzene-based ligands: synthesis, coordination chemistry, and application in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations

Novel hydroxy-functionalized phosphabenzenes were synthesized, which provide the possibility to prepare chiral phosphabenzene–phosphites. These systems act as bidentate ligands toward rhodium centers and the corresponding metal complexes were applied in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral substrates.