Enantioselective Hydrogenation of (E)-α-Phenylcinnamic Acid on Pd/TiO2 Catalyst Modified by Cinchona Alkaloids : Effect of Modifier Structure

Abstract

Abstract The effect of modifier structure on enantioselectivity and activity in the hydrogenation of (E)-α-phenylcinnamic acid with cinchona-modified Pd/TiO2 catalyst has been found to be in contrast to the hydrogenation of α-ketoesters with modified platinum catalysts. It is suggested that the interaction of the hydroxyl group at C9 of cinchonidine with the carboxyl group in the substrate is crucial to induce a high enantioselectivity.