Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of methyl ester of N-acetyl-α-phenylalanine on chiral cobalt complexes

The enantioselective hydrogenation of the methyl ester of N-acetyl-α-aminocinnamic acid on a catalytic chiral system based on cobalt was effected in an optical yield of 60%, which increases with increase in the phosphine/Co ratio in the catalyst and decreases with increase in the degree of conversion.