Asymmetric Hydrogenation of C=N Double Bond with Modified Raney Nickel 1. New Determination Method for the Reaction Mechanism Using Asymmetric Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract The hydrogenation process of ethyl 2-acetoximinopropionate was investigated by means of a novel technique using asymmetric hydrogenation with an asymmetrically modified R–Ni catalyst. It was found that the hydrogenation of ethyl 2-acetoximinopropionate to ethyl alaninate proceeded in two steps through ethyl acetoxyalaninate, and that the asymmetric hydrogenation was performed in the step of the formation of ethyl acetoxyalaninate from ethyl 2-acetoximinopropionate. Besides, the asymmetric reductive amination of ethyl pyruvate was tested with an asymmetrically modified R–Ni catalyst.