Reduction asymetrique catalysee par des complexes de metaux de transition

Various chiral diphosphines related to diop, isopropylidene-2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, have been prepared. Substitution of a methyl group at the meta position of each aromatic ring increases optical yields, which can reach 90% (asymmetric synthesis of a 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine derivative). Excellent results from asymmetric catalysis have also been obtained using structural analogues of diop in which the acetonide ring is placed by a carbon ring.