Mechanisms of hydrogenation. Part IX. Induced asymmetry in homogeneous hydrogenation at a rhodium complex by the use of optically active amide ligands

Homogeneous hydrogenation of methyl trans- or cis-3-phenylbut-2-enoate at a rhodium complex in presence of a series of optically active amides yields methyl 3-phenylbutanoate showing an appreciable degree of optical activity depending on the amide. The asymmetry of the methyl 3-phenylbutanoate formed is correlated with the chirality of the amide ligand in the complex.