Disclosed is a process for the preparation of phosphine-aminophosphines
that are useful in the formation of catalysts useful in carrying out a wide variety
of reactions such as asymmetric hydrogenations, asymmetric reductions, asymmetric
hydroborations, asymmetric olefin isomerizations, asymmetric hydrosilations, asymmetric
allylations, asymmetric conjugate additions, and asymmetric organometallic additions.
The process comprises the steps of (1) contacting a compound of formula 2
with phosphorus trihalide PX3 in the presence of an inert, organic
solvent and an acid acceptor to produce intermediate compound having formula 3
##STR1##
(2) contacting intermediate compound 3 with a reactant having the formula R1M1,
R2M1 or a mixture thereof.
