In situ Chiral Modification of Nickel Catalysts for Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Methyl Acetoacetate

Chiral modifications of SiO2-supported and Raney nickel catalysts were studied. The catalysts were employed in asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) to (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxybutanoate. The effects of modification parameters such as type and concentration of modifier; presence of a co-modifier and other additives, pH of modification solution on the enantioselectivity of MAA hydrogenation were discussed. Characteristic features of the in situ modification of Ni/SiO2 were also evaluated and the results obtained were compared with the conventional (premodification) approach. Parameters for the conventional and in situ methods were optimised in a series of experiments for both types of catalysts. The in situ modified Ni/SiO2 was found specifically suitable for repeated use due to virtually no decrease in selectivity and activity.