Abstract Enantioselective, homogeneous hydrogenation of 3-phenyl-3-butenoic acid (1) has extensively been examined in the presence of the rhodium (I)/4, 5-bis [(diphenylphosphino) methyl]-2, 2-dimethyldioxolane (DIOP) catalyst systems. Optimization of the reaction conditions was undertaken mainly by controlling effects of added tertiary amines as well as solvent polarities on the enantio-selectivity of the product. The best asymmetric yield (85.1 ...
