Rhodium-catalysed asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones using HETPHOX ligands

The HETPHOX ligand class was applied to the rhodium-catalysed asymmetric hydrosilylation of a range of substituted acetophenones. Enantioselective hydrosilylation of acetophenone with the tert-butyl substituted HETPHOX ligand gave (R)-phenylethanol in excellent enantioselectivity (84% ee) and in good conversion (80%). When applied to the hydrosilylation of other ketones conversions up to 93% and enantioselectivities up to 88% were observed.