Asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone catalyzed by cinchonidine stabilized Ir/SiO2

A series of silica (SiO2) supported iridium catalysts stabilized by cinchona alkaloids was prepared and applied in the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Cinchona alkaloids exhibited a marked ability to stabilize and disperse the Ir particles. In the presence of (1S,2S)-diphenylethylenediamine ((1S,2S)-DPEN)) as chiral modifier, the cinchonidine (CD) stabilized catalyst 5%Ir/2CD-SiO2 exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone in MeOH. Under the optimum conditions, the ee value of (R)-phenylethanol achieved 79.8% and no other product was produced, a higher enantioselectivity than that reported up to now for acetophenone hydrogenation catalyzed by the supported metal catalysts modified by chiral reagents. In particular, a synergistic effect between (1S,2S)-DPEN and CD was observed, which significantly accelerated the reaction rate and enhanced the enantioselectivity. The catalyst can be reused several times without a significant loss of activity and enantioselectivity.

Graphical abstractA series of silica (SiO2) supported iridium catalysts stabilized by cinchona alkaloids was prepared and firstly applied in the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. In the presence of (1S,2S)-diphenylethylenediamine ((1S,2S)-DPEN)) as chiral modifier, the cinchonidine (CD) stabilized catalyst 5%Ir/2CD-SiO2 exhibits excellent catalytic performance, the ee value of (R)-phenylethanol achieving 79.8%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide