A remarkably effective copper(II)-dipyridylphosphine catalyst system for the asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones in air.

The combination of catalytic amounts of optically active dipyridylphosphine and CuF(2) along with hydride donor PhSiH(3) generated in situ a remarkably reactive catalyst system (substrate-to-ligand molar ratio up to 100,000) for the highly enantioselective hydrosilylation of a broad spectrum of aryl alkyl ketones (up to 97% enantiomeric excess) in normal atmosphere and at mild conditions (ambient temperature to -20 degrees C, compatible with traces of moisture) in the absence of base additives. Furthermore, a highly effective catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation of unsymmetrical diarylketones using this catalyst system was also realized (up to 98% enantiomeric excess). The introduction of the dipyridylphosphine ligands in the air-accelerated and inexpensive metal-mediated asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones makes the present system highly attractive and thus provides an excellent opportunity for practical applications.