P-OP-mediated asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalised alkenes

An enantiomerically pure P-OP ligand (phosphine-phosphite) – straightforwardly available from Sharpless epoxy ethers by epoxide ring-opening with a P-nucleophile followed by O-phosphorylation with a P-electrophile – shows an excellent performance in the Rh-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of a wide variety of functionalised alkenes (33 examples).