Study of incidence of DiPAMP ligand modification on the rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-acetamidostyrene

A series of P-stereogenic enantiopure 1,2-bis(aryl)(phenyl)phosphino]ethane ligands was prepared through an extensive systematic incorporation of various substituents onto the P-o-anisyl rings of Knowles’ DiPAMP (DiPAMP = 1,2-bis(o-anisyl)(phenyl)phosphino]ethane). The study of incidence of such modification on the Rh(I)-catalyzed hydrogenation of α-acetamidostyrene is reported revealing that substitution on position 3 is detrimental, while it is beneficial on position 5. Namely, a 2.5-fold increased catalyst activity coupled with a higher enantioselectivity (90% ee) was attained with the P-(2-MeO-3-naphthyl)-substituted ligand under mild conditions (1 bar H₂, rt in MeOH).