| abstract |
A ruthenium-phosphite complex having the formula <IMAGE> IV wherein a is from 1 to 3; b is 1 or 2; c is from 0 to 3; and R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halo, amino, acetylamino, or sulfo; and X is <IMAGE> where R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different and are hydrogen or C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl. This complex can be used to effect the reduction of unsaturated organic compounds or, when comprised of ligands having optical activity, can be used as the catalyst for effecting the asymmetric reduction of unsaturated organic compounds. |