Phosphinyl imines, reduction

Two technical applications of C = N-X substrates have been reported. Noyori s Ru-PP-NN catalyst system was successfully applied in a feasibility study by Dow Chirotech for the hydrogenation of a sulfonyl amidine [77], while Avecia showed the commercial viability of its CATHy catalyst based on a pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl Rh complex for the reduction of phosphinyl imines [78] (Fig. 34.11). 

Asymmetric reductions. The reagent can effect asymmetric reduction of alkyl aryl ketones and unhindered dialkyl ketones in high optical yield.1 It is the most useful reagent known to date for asymmetric reduction of even hindered a-keto esters to (S)-a-hydroxy esters in >90% ee.2 It is also effective for asymmetric reduction of phosphinyl imines of dialkyl ketones, RlR2C=NP(0)(C6H5)2 (50-84% ee).3... 

The attachment of the strongly electronegative phosphinyl (P—O) group to an imine, usually via reaction of an oxime with a chlorophosphine, also gives highly electrophilic imines which are reduced by NaBFWTHF and various modified borohydride and LAH derivatives " under mild conditions. The product A-phosphinylamines are protected forms of primary amines since removal of the phosphorus substituent is accomplished under mild acidic conditions. Entries 12 and 13 (Table 16) present representative reductions and illustrate (entry 13) that highly diastereoselective reductions of cyclic systems to axial amine derivatives are accomplished with LiBHBu s. Enantioselective reductions of A-diphenylphosphinyl imines to optically active amine derivatives have also been reported (Chapter 1,7, this volume). ... 

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