Highly efficient chiral metal cluster systems derived from Ru-3(CO)(12) and chiral diiminodiphosphines for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

The chiral Ru cluster-based catalyst systems generated in situ from Ru-3(CO)(12) and chiral diiminodiphosphine tetradentate ligands effected asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of propiophenone in 2-propanol, leading to 1-phenyl-1-propanol in 94% yield and with 96% ee