Heterogeneous selective hydrogenation of trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one to allylic alcohol over modified Ir/SiO2 catalyst

The heterogeneous selective hydrogenation of trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one to allylic alcohol, catalyzed by Ir/SiO2 stabilized with phosphines and modified by cinchona alkaloids, was described herein. Under the optimized conditions, the chemoselectivity to α,β-unsaturated alcohol was more than 99% with enantioselectivity up to 46%.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (90 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Heterogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation of trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one is reported. ► Ir/SiO2 stabilized with phosphines and modified by cinchona alkaloids are employed as catalysts. ► Chemoselectivity to α,β-unsaturated alcohol is more than 99%. ► Enantioselectivity to α,β-unsaturated alcohol is up to 46%.