Phosphonites Based on the Paracyclophane Backbone: New Ligands for Highly Selective Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

[reaction--see text] The synthesis of new phosphonites with a chiral paracyclophane backbone is described. The rhodium complexes derived from the phosphonites bearing biphenoxy and binaphthoxy substituents are highly active and highly selective catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acids and esters.