Abstract: The invention relates to novel diphosphines, in optically pure or racemic form, of formula (I): in which: R1 and R2 are a (C5-C7)cycloalkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group or a 5-membered heteroaryl group; and A is (CH2—CH2) or CF2. The invention further relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) as a ligand for the preparation of a metal complex useful as a chiral catalyst in asymmetric catalysis, and to the chiral metal catalysts comprising at least one ligand of formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to novel diphosphines, in optically pure or racemic form, of formula (I): 1

Abstract: Novel chiral diphosphines (R) or (S), and their use as optically active ligand for preparing diphosphino-metallic complexes, and the diphosphino-metallic complexes containing said chiral diphosphines (R) or (S), and the use of the diphosphino-metallic complexes as catalyst in asymmetric catalysis of unsaturated compounds bearing functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a polyaromatic compound comprising at least one sequence of two aromatic rings. The process of the invention, which consists in reacting an aromatic compound bearing a leaving group and an arylboronic acid and/or its derivatives in the presence of a base and an effective amount of a nickel catalyst, is characterized in that the reaction is conducted in a reaction solvent which is water optionally in a mixture with an organic solvent and in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst based on nickel with at least one water-soluble phosphine ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a polyaromatic compound comprising at least one sequence of two aromatic rings.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention relates to a reagent and a process useful for cleaving a functional group protected by an alkoxycarbonyl group during an organic synthesis. This reagent comprises: a) an aqueous phase; b) a catalyst comprising at least one group VIII element in the periodic table of elements and at least one water-soluble ligand, wherein the group VIII element in the periodic table is maintained in the aqueous phase by the formation of a complex with at least one water-soluble ligand; and c) a nucleophilic compound soluble in the aqueous phase; and optionally d) an organic phase.

Abstract: A catalyst of ruthenium (II) which includes bidentate phosphine ligands. The catalyst is obtainable by a process which includes the steps of treating equimolar amounts of an appropriate Ru(II) complex and a bidentate diphosphine ligand with an acid of formula HX, wherein X is a non-coordinating anion. The acid is used in a ratio which does not exceed 2 molar equivalents per mole of Ru(II) complex and the treatment is carried out in a non-coordinating or weakly coordinating solvent and under an inert atmosphere. This catalyst is useful for the preparation of the preferred isomer of HEDIONE, having the (+)-(1R)-cis-configuration.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention relates to a reagent and a process useful for cleaving a functional group protected by an alkoxycarbonyl group during an organic synthesis. This reagent comprises: a) an aqueous phase; b) a catalyst comprising at least one group VIII element in the periodic table of elements and at least one water-soluble ligand, wherein the group VIII element in the periodic table is maintained in the aqueous phase by the formation of a complex with at least one water-soluble ligand; and c) a nucleophilic compound soluble in the aqueous phase; and optionally d) an organic phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent and to a process which are useful, when carrying out an organic synthesis, for cleaving an allylic group from a function which is protected with the latter.This reagent is defined in that it contains:a) a solvent system;b) a catalyst containing at least one element from column VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, the said element from column VIII of the Periodic Table being coordinated with at least one coordination agent which is soluble in the said solvent system;c) a compound which is at least partially soluble in the said solvent system and which contains at least one nucleophilic function.Application to organic synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of the ketone C.dbd.O double bond to a secondary alcohol function, said process using a neutral ruthenium complex as the catalyst and a compound containing a C.dbd.O group as the substrate to be hydrogenated, characterised in that it comprises hydrogenation of the substrate using a diallyl (diphosphino) ruthenium compound with formula ##STR1## where al preferably represents CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 or CH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).dbd.CH.sub.2,Q represents a hydrocarbon bridge containing at least two catenary carbon atoms and which can contain one to four catenary heteroatoms selected from O, S, N and Si,R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 may be identical or different and each represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds. This process is carried out in a homogeneous medium containing a hydrogenation catalyst formed by a complex of ruthenium with a phosphine, which comprises two allylic groups as ligands on the Ru.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a chiral catalyst, comprised of an organic complex of ruthenium and phosphorus, consisting in heating a complex of ruthenium with a phosphine, within an organic liquid, inert in relation to substances in presence, the heated complex being based on a diene and an allylic compound; the product obtained following the heating is subjected to the action of an acid in an organic solvent.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with new chiral diphosphinite-borane compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, identical or different, represent each a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.18 aralkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group which can bear functional groups,R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.18 aralkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkoxy, C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyloxy, C.sub.7 -C.sub.18 aralkyloxy or C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryloxy group,Z represents a bridge linking the two phosphinite P atoms, said bridge being (i) a hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 12 catenary C atoms or (ii) a heterohydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 12 catenary C atoms and at least one catenary heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, Si, P and N.These chiral compounds are useful in the manufacture of chiral diphosphine compounds.

Abstract: New chemical product, constituted by an organic phosphorus compound of the structure ##STR1## where Q is an N or O atom, T is an alkylene or arylene, possibly carrying substituents, or not existing, while R.sup.1 to R.sup.7, the same or different, are H or aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or arylic hydrocarbon radicals, possibly substituted, R.sup.3 not existing when Q is oxygen. This product is used as an intermediate in the preparation of different derivatives of phosphinous acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of oxidizing epoxyalcohols, in a medium containing an organic solvent and water, by means of a solid oxidizing compound, in the presence of a catalyst based on a ruthenium salt. The proportion of water relative to that of organic solvent is sufficiently small for at least the major part of the oxidizing compound to remain in the solid state in the reaction medium, which is heterogeneous.

Abstract: New organic phosphorus compounds, comprised of hetero-phosphacycloalkanes whose phosphorus atom forms a complex with a borane. They can be prepared by the action of a borane on a hetero-phosphacycloalkane, within a solvent, at temperatures ranging from -20.degree. to +60.degree. C. Their transformation into other derivatives, phosphinites or phosphines in particular, can be carried out without any modification in the chirality of the initial complex. An especially useful application is their conversion into highly optically active phosphines, used in particular as catalysts in various reactions.

Abstract: New chemical product, constituted by an organic phosphorus compound of the structure ##STR1## where Q is an N or O atom, T is an alkylene or arylene, possibly carrying substituents, or not existing, while R.sup.1 to R.sup.7, the same or different, are H or aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or arylic hydrocarbon radicals, possibly substituted, R.sup.3 not existing when Q is oxygen.This product is used as an intermediate in the preparation of different derivatives of phosphinous acid.

Abstract: Novel penten-2-yl derivatives of the formula in the trans form ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acetyl and to a novel process for the preparation of methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2'-methyl-propenyl)-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate which is an intermediate for chrysanthemic acid.

Abstract: Novel penten-2-yl derivatives of the formula in the trans form ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acetyl and to a novel process for the preparation of methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2'-methyl-propenyl)-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate which is an intermediate for chrysanthemic acid.