[structure: see text] A series of ruthenium(II) complexes containing BINOL-based monodonor phosphorus ligands have been prepared and applied to the asymmetric catalysis of the hydrogenation of aryl/alkyl ketones. The best ligands for this application are those which contain an aromatic groups with either a methoxide or bromide on the ortho position. Using these ligands, alcohols with ee's of up to 99% are formed.

Graphical AbstractTo create your abstract, type over the instructions in the template box below. Fonts or abstract dimensions should not be changed or altered.Asymmetric organocatalysis of the addition of acetone to 2-nitrostyrene using Ndiphenylphosphinyl-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (PODPEN) Abstract-The highly enantioselective addition of acetone to 2-nitrostyrene, using N-diphenylphosphinyl-trans-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (PODPEN) as catalyst, is described.

[Chemical reaction: See text] A series of BINOL-derived ligands have been prepared and incorporated into ruthenium(II) complexes containing a diamine ligand. The complexes have proven to be excellent catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones, giving reduction products with enantiomeric excesses of up to 99%.

A series of enantiomerically-pure ligands containing a combination of proline and DPEN groups have been prepared and employed in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones. In the case of cyclic ketones, alcohols with ees of up to 96 % were obtained.____________ [a]

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