Stereoselective Rh-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Desymmetrization of Achiral Substituted 1,4-Dienes.

Highly efficient catalytic stereoselective hydrogenative desymmetrization reactions mediated by rhodium complexes derived from enantiopure phosphine–phosphite (P–OP) ligands are described. The highest performing ligand, which contains a TADDOL-derived phosphite fragment [TADDOL = (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylmethanol)], presented excellent catalytic properties for the desymmetrization of a set of achiral 1,4-dienes, providing access to the selective formation of a variety of enantioenriched secondary and tertiary alcohols (six examples, up to 92% ee).