CO-free Enantioselective Hydroformylation of Functionalised Alkenes: Using a Dual Catalyst System to Give Improved Selectivity and Yield

The scope of carbon monoxide-free Asymmetric Transfer HydroFormylation (ATHF) procedures using a highly active single catalyst system derived from 1,2-bis-((2,5)-diphenylphospholano)ethane as chiral ligand has been studied. This reveals some highly successful reactions, but also significant limitations. The development of a new protocol in which a catalyst for formaldehyde decomposition to CO and H₂ is combined with the catalyst of choice for the subsequent asymmetric hydroformylation is described. This enables ATHF reactions that were problematic to be significantly improved. The new method has been used in the synthesis of several key precursors to biologically active molecules.