ASYMMETRIC HYDROGENATION OF ALKENOIC ACIDS AND THEIR ESTERS

摘要

The geometric Z isomer of a compound of the formula: IMAGE is subjected to asymmetric hydrogenation with homogeneous catalysis. The catalyst used is a coordination complex of rhodium, iridium and/or ruthenium. The complex contains an optically active ligand of the formula: IMAGE This gives enantiomorphs of corresponding compounds of the formula: IMAGE with a high degree of optical purity. At least one of the carbon atoms of the groups of the formula IMAGE represented in formula A or B is asymmetric. In the formulae, R, R1, R2, R3, A and D have the meanings given in Patent Claim 1.