Synthesis and evaluation of a chiral heterogeneous transfer hydrogenation catalyst

A polymer bound transfer hydrogenation catalyst has been developed based on Noyori's (1S,2S)- or (1R,2R)-N-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine. The ruthenium catalysed reduction of acetophenone was examined and the activity of the catalyst was found to be dependent on the type of polymer used. The catalyst was found to be reusable and retained high ee's when HCO2H:Et3N was used as the hydrogen donor.