Abstract: The present invention concerns a metallocene-based phosphine ligand for use in enantioselective catalysis, the ligand having the Formula (I): Wherein M is a metal; Z is P or As; L is a suitable linker; R1 is selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylamino carbocyclic aryl, substituted and unsubstituted carbocyclic aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, carbocyclic arylamino and heteroarylamino; X* is selected from (II): Wherein R, R2 and R3 are independently selected from optionally substituted branched- and straight-chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, carbocyclic aryl, and heteroaryl.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of substituted propionic acids comprising providing a substrate of formula (I): And subjecting the substrate to enantioselective hydrogenation under enantioselective hydrogenation conditions in the presence of an enantioselective hydrogenation catalyst comprising a catalyst ligand having a metallocene group with a chiral phosphorus or arsenic substituent to provide in enantiomeric excess a product of formula (II): or its enantiomer or if applicable its diastereomer.