Supramolecular chirality transfer in a stereodynamic catalysts

We present rhodium catalysts that contain stereodynamic axially chiral biphenol-derived phosphinite ligands modified with non-stereoselective amides for non-covalent interactions. A chirality transfer was achieved with (R)- or (S)-acetylphenylalanine methyl amide, and the interaction mechanism was investigated by NMR measurements. These interactions at the non-stereoselective interaction sites and the formation of supramolecular complexes result in an enrichment of either the (R-ax)- or (S-ax) enantiomer of the tropos catalysts, which in turn provide the (R)- or (S)-acetylphenylalanine methyl ester in the hydrogenation of (Z)-methyl--acetamidocinnamate.