Recent Advances on Chiral Catalysts for Asymmetric Hydrogenation of C=C, C=N and C=O Bonds

The asymmetric hydrogenation of C=C, C=N and C=O bonds catalyzed by chiralligand modified transition metal complexes is a very important process for the organic synthesis and fine chemical production. & A large number of hydrogenation chiral catalysts mainly based on transition metals such as rhodium, ruthenium and iridium have been successfully developed. & Even though outstanding results have been achieved in this area, so far relatively few catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation have been applied to fine chemical industry [5-6]. Thus, many efforts are being made to rationally design highly active catalysts with a broad substrate scope. & In the last few years, less expensive catalysts based on transition metals such as cobalt, copper, iron and palladium have afforded promising results. & This review reports on the most relevant chiral catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of C=C, C=N and C=O bonds that were published from 2005 up today.