Application of [Ru((R)-BINAP)(MeCN)(1-3:5,6-η-C8H11)](BF4) as a catalyst precursor for enantioselective hydrogenations

A catalyst system employing [Ru((R)-BINAP)(MeCN)(1-3:5,6-η-C8H11)](BF4) as catalyst precursor was evaluated using the enantioselective hydrogenations of tiglic acid, α-acetamidocinnamic acid, itaconic acid, methyl tiglate, dimethyl itaconate, geraniol, ethyl acetoacetate, and dimethyl oxaloacetate as a series of typical substrates. Acetone and MeOH were used as model aprotic and protic solvents, respectively. The hydrogenation of substrates containing an α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid functionality required stoichiometric quantities of NEt3 to occur at reasonable rates in acetone solution, while in MeOH solution it did not. The enantioselectivities were typically higher in acetone than in MeOH. This catalyst system is among the more enantioselective ruthenium-BINAP type systems reported for the catalytic hydrogenation of substrates containing an α, β-unsaturated acid or ester functionality. The enantioselectivities for the hydrogenation of ketones ranged from poor (15%) to moderate (74%). 1,4-Dicarboxylate substrates with the prochiral olefin or ketone at the 2-position were all hydrogenated in good to high ee with the same enantioface selectivity both with our system and other catalysts reported in the literature. This raised the possibility that these substrates were hydrogenated through intermediates with similar structural features. Key words: ruthenium, BINAP, enantioselective, hydrogenation, catalysis.