FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an improved method for asymmetrical hydrogenation, catalysed by transition metals, acrylic acid derivatives of formula (I), in which R1 denotes H or optionally substituted C1-C20-alkyl, C5-C20-aryl or C5-C20-heteroryl radical, R2 denotes optionally substituted C1-C20-alkyl, C5-C20-aryl or C5-C20-heteroaryl radical, and R3 denotes H or C1-C6-alkyl radical, which involves hydrogenation of compounds of formula (I), optionally in a solvent, in the presence of one or more hydrogen donors, using a catalyst system which contains a transition metal selected from ruthenium, rhodium and iridium and a combination of a chiral phosphoric ligand of formula (II), in which Cn, together with two oxygen atoms and a phosphorus atom, form an optionally substituted ring, having 2-6 carbon atoms, and R4 denotes an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkoxy- or aryloxy-radical or a NR5R6 group in which R5 and R6 can be independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radical, or together with a nitrogen atom can form a ring, and an achiral phosphinic ligand of formula (III), in which R is optionally substituted alkyl or aryl radical, to obtain corresponding compounds of formula (IV) in which each R1, R2 and R3 are as described above. Formula 
(I), Formula 
(II), Formula P(R)3 (III), Formula 
(IV).
EFFECT: improved method for asymmetrical hydrogenation.
20 cl, 3 tbl, 29 ex
