Transition metal complex and process for producing optically active alcohol

Abstract

A novel transition metal complex, preferably a ruthenium-phosphine complex or rhodium-phosphine complex, which is effectively usable in various asymmetric syntheses and, in particular, is more effectively usable in the asymmetric hydrogenation of various ketones; and a novel process for producing an optically active alcohol with the complex. The novel transition metal complex includes a ligand obtained by introducing a diarylphosphino group into each of the 2- and 2'-positions of diphenyl ether, benzophenone, benzhydrol, or the like. It preferably further includes an optically active 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine coordinated thereto. The complex preferably is a novel diphosphine-ruthenium-optically active diamine complex or diphosphine-rhodium-optically active diamine complex. The process comprises using the complex as an asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst to conduct the asymmetric hydrogenation of a ketone compound to thereby obtain an optically active alcohol in a high optical purity and a high yield.