The invention is concerned with novel water-soluble racemic or optically active compounds of formulae ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently signify lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; m and n are 0, 1 or 2; and X signifies hydrogen, an alkali :metal, the equivalent of an earth alkali metal or an ammonium ion; with the provision that R.sup.3 is in position 4 or 5 and R.sup.4 is in position 4' or 5'. The invention is also concerned with complexes of such compounds with a metal of Group VIII. These complexes are, useful as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation and for enantioselective hydrogen displacement in prochiral allylic systems.
本发明涉及公式##STR1##的新型
水溶性外消旋或光学活性化合物,其中R.sup.1,R.sup.2,R.sup.3和R.sup.4独立地表示较低的烷基或较低的烷氧基;m和n为0、1或2;X表示氢,碱
金属,地碱
金属的当量或
铵离子;但是R.sup.3在4或5位,R.sup.4在4'或5'位。本发明还涉及这些化合物与第VIII族
金属的配合物。这些配合物可用作不对称氢化的催化剂以及在前手性烯丙基系统中进行对映选择性氢位移的催化剂。