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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Cheng-Chao Pai

Albert Sun-Chi Chan

Li-Sheng Deng

Wen-Zao Li

Jian-Ying Qi

Xian-Jun Li

Jia-Yuan Hu

Bin Sun

A method for the preparation of aryl methyl ketones converts a variety of ethyl arenas to the corresponding aryl methyl ketones using a dioxygen-containing gas as the oxidant. The catalyst used for the reaction is a metal complex bearing general formulas as disclosed.

Catalytic preparation of aryl methyl ketones using a molecular oxygen-containing gas as the oxidant

Novel, optically active phosphorous compounds of the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen atoms, straight or branched-chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, lower alkyl groups (1 to 6 carbon atoms), lower alkoxy groups (1 to 6 carbon atoms), hydroxy group, chiral hydroxyalkyl groups, and amino groups (1.degree., 2.degree., 3.degree.) vinyl groups or allyl groups and R.sup.3 represents phenyl groups, aryl groups, cyclohexyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, heteroaromatic rings, are described. The compounds of the formula serve as highly useful ligands in the preparation of ruthenium complexes which are effective catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-arylpropenoic acids leading to high valued 2-arylpropionic acids.

Chiral pyridylphosphines and their application in asymmetric catalytic

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Hong Kong, China

Cheng-Chao Pai