Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using an iridium(I) catalyst containing ferrocene-based P–N–N tridentate ligands

Abstract Six ferrocene-based P–N–N tridentate ligands have been synthesized and applied in the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. A wide range of ketones are hydrogenated enantioselectively to afford the corresponding optically active alcohols in the enantioselectivities of up to 86.6% ee. The substituent groups on the P -phenyl and pyridine rings play an important role with regard to the enantioselectivity.