Ferrocenyl bis-phosphine ligands bearing sulfinyl,sulfonyl or sulfenyl groups: applications in asymmetric hydrogenation and allylic alkylation reactions

A new series of chiral ferrocenyl bis-phosphine ligands have been synthesized. Elements of planar and central chirality have been incorporated into a ferrocene backbone through sulfinyl, sulfonyl and sulfenyl groups at the ortho-position to the phosphines. The effectiveness of these ligands has been demonstrated in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenations and Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations.