Reaction characteristics of immobilized Ru-BINAP catalysts in asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate

Abstract

Chiral Ru-BINAP catalyst was immobilized on the alumina support using a phosphotungstic acid as the anchoring agent. The activity and enantioselectivity of the immobilized catalyst were slightly lower than those of the homogeneous catalyst but the immobilized catalyst showed a stable reaction rate even at high S/C ratios. The catalytic performance of the catalyst was tested at various reaction conditions and it was found that the activity and enantioselectivity of the immobilized catalyst could be enhanced by changing the reaction temperature and solvent and adding triethylamine. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.