Transition States of Binap–Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Theoretical Studies on the Origin of the Enantioselectivity

By using the hybrid IMOMM(B3LYP:MM3) method, we examined the binap–Rh^I‐catalyzed oxidative‐addition and insertion steps of the asymmetric hydrogenation of the enamide 2‐acetylamino‐3‐phenylacrylic acid. We report a path that is energetically more favorable for the major enantiomer than for the minor enantiomer. This path follows the “lock‐and‐key” motif and leads to the major enantiomeric product via an energetically favorable binap–dihydride–Rh^III–enamide complex. Our theoretical results are consistent with the mechanism that takes place via Rh^III dihydride formation, that is, oxidative addition of H₂ followed by enamide insertion.