ASYMMETRIC HYDROGENATION OF α-ACYLAMINOACRYLIC ACIDS AND ESTERS WITH AXIALLY DISSYMMETRIC BISAMINOPHOSPHINE–RHODIUM COMPLEXES

From easily resolved 2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl were prepared axially dissymmetric bisphosphine ligands, (R)- and (S)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinamino)-1,1′-binaphthyl; the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-acylaminoacrylic acids and esters gave the corresponding amino acids of up to 95% optical purity.