Synthesis of a new class of conformationally rigid phosphino-oxazolines: highly enantioselective ligands for Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation.

[reaction: see text] A new class of conformationally rigid phosphino-oxazoline ligands were synthesized from readily available enantiopure phenyl glycinol. Ir complexes with these ligands are air-stable and highly enantioselective catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes and alpha,beta-unsaturated esters in up to 99% ee.