Profiling the tuneable R-SMS-Phos structure in the rhodium(I)-catalyzed hydrogenation of olefins: the last stand?

A diversified family of enantiopure P-stereogenic "R-SMS-Phos" {R-SMS-Phos = 1,2-bis[(o-RO-phenyl)(phenyl)phosphino]ethane} ligands wherein R = branched or heteroatom-substituted alkyl, aralkyl, silyl, acyl, sulfonyl, etc. was screened for the Rh(I)-catalyzed hydrogenation of a representative set of olefinic substrates. This systematic and detailed investigation revealed a marked beneficial impact on enantioselectivity and catalyst activity in comparison to Knowles' ultimate DiPAMP {DiPAMP = 1,2-bis[(o-anisyl)(phenyl)phosphino]ethane} design. Mutant ligands with highly enhanced properties possessing particular features wherein the DiPAMP structure is found embedded were identified.