trans-[RuCl2 (phosphane)2 (1,2-diamine)] and Chiral trans-[RuCl2 (diphosphane)(1,2-diamine)]: Shelf-Stable Precatalysts for the Rapid, Productive, and Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones.

A turnover number (TON) of 2 400 000 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 63 s-1 are achieved with the chiral RuII complex 1 (R=p-CH3 C6 H4 ) in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Carbonyl-selective asymmetric hydrogenation of α,ß-unsaturated ketones proceeds in the presence of these RuII catalysts, and 4-substituted cyclohexanones are selectively converted into cis alcohols.