Synthesis of novel chiral N,P-containing multidentate ligands and their applications in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

Novel chiral PN;-type multidentate aminophosphine ligands have been successfully synthesized by Schiff-base condensation of bis（o-formylphenyl）phenylphosphane and various chiral amino-sulfonamides.Their structures were fully characterized by IR,EI-MS and NMR.The catalytic systems,prepared in situ from the multidentate ligands and iridium（I） complexes,showed high activity in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of propiophenone in 2-propanol solution,leading to corresponding optical alcohol with up to 75%ee.