Catalysis Letters, Vol.52, No.1-2, 81-84, 1998
Enantiodifferentiation in asymmetric sonochemical hydrogenations
The effect of sonochemical pretreatment on the enantioselectivity of Pt/Al2O3-cinchonidine-catalyzed ethyl pyruvate hydrogenation was studied at different hydrogen pressures in various solvents, mainly in acetic acid. The sonochemical pretreatment of a commercial Pt/Al2O3-cinchonidine catalytic system in acetic acid resulted in enhanced enantioselectivity providing excellent ee values (97% ee) under mild and widely varied experimental conditions. Moreover, the application of ultrasonics provides a possibility of the catalyst recycling without regeneration. The catalyst was tested by transmission electron microscopy to determine the effect of the sonication on the metal particle size morphology.
Keywords:ENANTIOSELECTIVE HYDROGENATION;ALPHA-KETOESTERS;ETHYL PYRUVATE;HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS;PLATINUM CATALYSTS;CINCHONIDINE;SOLVENTS;ALUMINA;ACID