Platinum complex compounds with styrene

Chiral bis-(binaphthophosphole) (bis(BNP)) ligands have been used in the asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene. In solution, the free diphospholes display fluxional behavior. Consistent with their structure, the reaction of the bis(BNP) compounds with platinum(II) derivatives gives either cis chelate mononuclear complexes or trans phosphorus-bridged polynuclear derivatives. Coordination to platinum enhances the conformational stability of bis(BNP)s and diastereomeric complexes can be detected in solution. In the presence of SnCl2, the platinum complexes give rise to catalysts that exhibit remarkable activity in the hydroformylation of styrene. Under optimum conditions, reaction takes place with high branched selectivity (80-85%) and moderate enantio-selectivity (up to 45% ee). 

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