Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral 3-Substituted-3-silylpropionic Esters via Rhodium/Bisphosphine-Thiourea-Catalyzed Asymmetric-Hydrogenation

We have successfully developed the asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-silyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters to prepare chiral 3-substituted-3-silylpropionic ester products catalyzed by rhodium/bisphosphine-thiourea (ZhaoPhos) with excellent results (up to 97% yield, > 99% ee, 1500 TON). Moreover, our hydrogenation products can be efficiently converted to other important organic molecules, such as chiral ethyl (R)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate or (R)-3-[dimethyl(phenyl)silyl]-3-phenylpropanoic acid.