Biphenyldiphosphine compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides compounds of the formula ##STR00001## wherein R is optionally substituted lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; R' is alkyl or aryl; n is zero or an integer of 1 or 2; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of formula (I) are bridged C.sub.2-symmetric biphenyldiphosphine analogs and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high diastereomeric and optical purity according to the methods disclosed herein.