Molecular recognition of racemic phosphines by a chiral ruthenium porphyrin

The preparation of ruthenium ‘picket-fence’ porphyrins bearing optically active α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl residues on both sides of the porphyrin plane is described; chiral recognition in the complexation of racemic benzylmethylphenylphosphine to the α,β,α,β isomer leads to the formation of one of three possible product diastereoisomers with high stereoselectivity (>95%).