Asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by silica‐supported chitosan‐iron‐nickel complex

Abstract

Abstract A new silica‐supported biopolymer‐metal complex, silica‐supported chitosan‐iron‐nickel complex was prepared by a very simple method. This complex catalyst can be used as a catalyst in the asymmetric hydrogenation of propiophenone to ( R )‐(+)‐1‐phenyl‐1‐propanol and acetophenone to ( R )‐(+)‐1‐phenyl ethanol in 91.7 and 77.7% optical yields, respectively, at 110°C and under 70 kg/cm 2 pressure. The catalyst could be reused several times without any remarkable change in the catalytic activity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.