A very simple in situ preparation of chiral ruthenium-diphosphine catalysts from anhydrous RuCl3 is reported. Prochiral C=O and C=C bonds have been reduced with high enantioselectivities via ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of .beta.-Keto Phosphonates: A Practical Way to Fosfomycin