Enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins by chiral iridium phosphorothioite complex covalently anchored on mesoporous silica

Chiral monodentate phosphorous-based ligands have proven effective for the enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins. Binol-derived monodentate phosphorothioite (PS) ligand was synthesized from binol and thiopropyltriethoxysilane, and its iridium complex was covalently anchored to mesoporous silica supports like SBA-15, MCM-41, and MCM-48. These catalysts were characterized by different physicochemical techniques and assessed for their catalytic performances in the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconic acid and its derivatives. It was found that the catalytic activities and enantioselectivities of the heterogenized iridium complex (IrPSSBA-15) in the hydrogenation reactions were comparable to its homogeneous analogue. Binol-derived monodentate phosphorothioite ligand in heterogeneously anchored form (iridium complex) is a more effective catalyst than the reported monodentate phosphorous ligand systems in the hydrogenation reactions, possibly due to the changes in electronic properties around the iridium metal center. The effects of substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio, solvents, and temperature on substrate conversions and enantioselectivities of the products were investigated in hydrogenation reactions.