ClickFerrophos: new chiral ferrocenyl phosphine ligands synthesized by click chemistry and the use of their metal complexes as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation and allylic substitution

The new ferrocenyl P,P- and P,N-ligands 5 and 6 (collectively, "ClickFerrophos") were readily prepared in four steps using Click Chemistry methodology, starting from the commercially available aminoferrocene 1. Rhodium and ruthenium complexes of ClickFerrophos 5 were effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of alkenes and ketones, respectively, producing products with up to 99.7% ee. The analogous palladium complex with 6 worked well for asymmetric allylic alkylation.