Immobilized chiral rhodium nanoparticles stabilized by chiral P-ligands as efficient catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione

This work reports the efficient synthesis of enantio-enriched alcohols by asymmetric hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione using chiral nanoparticles (NPs) supported on SiO₂. The chiral catalysts were synthesized by reducing the [Rh(μ−OCH₃)(C₈H₁₂)]₂ precursor under H₂ in the presence of P-chiral ligands as stabilizers and SiO₂ as support. Synthesis of catalysts in mild conditions was performed from labile organometallic precursor and chiral ligands provided small and well defined chiral nanoparticles (≤ 3 nm). The catalysts were characterized by XPS, HR-TEM, EDS, XRD and N₂ physisorption isotherm. The physical chemical properties of the materials were correlated with the catalytic results obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione. In 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione hydrogenation the best results using chiral catalysts allowed 98% conversion and enantiomeric excess of 67% to (R)-1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-propan-2-one and 59% for (R)-2-hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-1-one. Catalyst recycling studies revealed that chiral nanoparticles immobilized on SiO₂ are stable. These catalysts do not need extra amount of chiral modifier or inducer added in situ and could be reused without loss of enantioselectivity.