An unexpected effect of water on the asymmetric hydrogenation of α-ketoesters on platinum nanoparticles confined in carbon nanotubes

The influence of water on asymmetric hydrogenation of α-ketoesters on platinum nanoparticles confined in the channels of carbon nanotubes was investigated. It is found that water enriches the chiral modifier (cinchonidine) in the channels and 95% ee is acquired, higher than the 86% ee obtained in anhydrous acetic acid.285