The synthesis and efficient one-pot catalytic “self-breeding” of asymmetrical NC(sp3)E-hybridised pincer complexes.

Cyclopalladation of the pyridyl-substituted chiral phosphine sulfide (N–P=S) and oxide (N–P=O) compounds afforded the asymmetric N–C(sp³)*–S and N–C(sp³)*–O pincer complexes. When applied as catalysts in asymmetric hydrophosphination, the newly developed aliphatic pincer catalyst could be recycled over three runs and obtained in large quantities via a one-pot “self-breeding” catalytic protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]