Catalytic ability of a cationic Ru(II) monochloro complex for the asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate and enamides

The synthesis and the spectroscopic and structural characterization, both in the solid state and in solution, of a Ru complex, cis-fac-DELTA-[Ru(super II)Cl{(R)-(bpea)}{(S)-(BINAP)}](BF4) are reported. The performance of this complex in the homogenous phase as a catalyst for the efficient and stereoselective hydrogenation of prochiral substrates, such as dehydroamino acids, dimethyl itaconate and methylacetoacetate, is discussed.