Chiral aminophosphines

Abstract

This invention relates to (R)- and (S)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine (R-1 and S-1) and (R)- and (S)-2,2'-bis(diarylphospinoamino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binap hthyl (R-2 and S-2) and (R)- and (S)-2,2'-bis(dialkylphospinoamino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-bina phthyl (R-3 and S-3); to a process for the preparation of R-1 and S-1 in which (R) or (S)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine is partially hydrogenated in the presence of Adam's catalyst (5-20 wt % of starting material) at 20-100.degree. C. for 20-100 hours in glacial acetic acid (solvent); to a process for the preparation of R-2, S-2, R-3 and S-3 in which R-1 or S-1 is reacted with chlorodiarylphosphine or chlorodialkylphosphine in the presence of n-butyllithium; and to the rhodium complexes containing 2 or 3 as effective catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral substrates such as olefins to produce higher valued chiral products; and to the asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation of enamides under mild conditions using the Rh-(2) or Rh-(3) as catalyst with chemical yields as high as 100% and enantiomeric excess (e.e.) as high as 99%.