Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic olefins catalyzed by iridium complexes of proline derived phosphine–oxazoline ligands

The synthesis of a series of phosphine–oxazoline ligands is reported. This ligands are synthesized by reaction of a phosphine chloride with the secondary nitrogen of proline. Upon coordination to iridium the resulting complexes can be used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of simple olefins. The effect of different counter ions and substitution at the oxazoline and the phosphine is reported.