The Application of DuPHOS Rhodium l Catalysts for Commercial Scale Asymmetric Hydrogenation

The Application of DuPHOS Rhodium(l) Catalysts for Commercial Scale Asymmetric Hydrogenation 

Christopher J. Cobley, Nicholas B. Johnson, Ian C. Lennon, Raymond McCague, James A. Ramsden, and Antonio Zanotti-Gerosa 

The successful industrial application of the homogeneous catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins depends on the ability of the catalyst systems to offer high activity both in terms of reaction rate and efficient utilization of the catalyst (as the molar substrate to catalyst ratio S/C). It is also essential for the reaction to deliver the product with high enantiomeric excess and in good yield under conditions appropriate for industrial manufacture. In addition, the catalysts should be accessible in appropriate quantities for commercial manufacture. 

A class of catalyst that has proven to be valuable for industrial processes is the rhodium DuPHOS family [1] an example of which, as its precatalyst [(R,R)-Me-DuPHOS Rh-COD]BF4 1, is illustrated in Fig. 1. 

Asymmetric Catalysis on Industrial Scale Challenges, Approaches and Solutions Edited by H.U. Blaser, E. Schmidt 

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