Cinnamic acid, 2-methyl enantioselective hydrogenation

Heterogeneisation of chiral rhodium complex of 1,2-diphosphines already known as very efficient catalysts for enantioselective hydrogenation32 was achieved through amine functionality borne by pyrrolidine molecule. The supported Rh complex revealed as its homogeneous counterpart very high enantioselectivity (<90%) in hydrogenation of a-(acetylamino)cinnamic acid and its methyl ester. 

Biemer et al. reported the enantioselective behaviors of a Pd catalysts supported on specially prepared silica gels, which have been precipitated from Na silicate wiA HCl in the presence of optically active alkaloids sulfates of quinine (Q), quinidine (Qd ), cinchonine (Cn), or cinchonidine (Cnd). These catalysts proved to be active in the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-methyl-cinnamic acid (Scheme 3.1.) . 

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