The isomers of ligand, 2-(2-pyridyl)-4-carboethoxy- 1,3-thiazolidine(A) were separated and purified by fractional crystallization or column chromatography. The catalysts, prepared in-situ with ligand A and [Rh(COD)Cl]~2, were used to catalyze the asymmetric hydrosilylation of acetophenone and several other aromatic ketones. The chemical yields and optical purities were about 90% and 80%, respectively. It was sound that the configuration of C~2 in thiazolidine had no effect on the catalytic reaction.

Key words: KETONE P, CHIRAL REAGENT, CARBOXY GROUP, ACETOPHENONE, CATALYTIC ACTIVITY, AROMATIC COMPOUNDS, THIAZOLIDINE P, ETHYL GROUP, ISOMER, SYNTHESIS