IMPROVED MODIFIED RANEY NICKEL CATALYST FOR ENANTIOFACE-DIFFERENTIATING (ASYMMETRIC) HYDROGENATION OF METHYL ACETOACETATE

Abstract

Abstract The enantioface-differentiating ability of the modified Raney nickel was enhanced by the use of an inorganic salt as an ingredient of the modifying solution. An optical yield of near 90 % was attained in the hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate to methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate when tartaric acid and sodium bromide were chosen as the modifying reagents.