Enantioselective Catalysis, Part 481: Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Transfer-Hydrogenation of Itaconic Acid with Formates

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Abstract
Enantioselective catalytic transfer-hydrogenation of itaconic acid (1) yields optically pure (S)-methylsuccinic acid (2). The hydrogen source is a mixture of formic acid and an amine in the mole ratio of 5:2. The catalyst system constists of a Rh(I), Rh(II), or Rh(III) complex and the chiral phosphane bppm 6. The optical purity exceeds that achieved with Rh(I)/bppm catalysts using gaseous hydrogen.