N,N′-Dialkylated 1,2-diamine derivatives as new efficient ligands for RuCl2(PPh3)3 catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Chiral N,N′-dialkylated cyclohexanediamine derivatives ligands have been synthesized and used in an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones. Optically active alcohols with up to 93% enantiomeric excess were obtained in high yield.