Application of a new amidophosphite ligand to Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-dehydroamino acid derivatives in supercritical carbon dioxide: activation effect of protic Co-solvents.

New chiral amidophosphite ligand was synthesized and tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)-β-(acylamino)acrylates in protic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2) ) The catalytic performance is affected greatly by the acidity of the solvents. Better enantioselectivity (up to 88% ee) was achieved in scCO(2) containing 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, compared to neat protic solvents.