Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Prochiral Substrates in Catalytic Membrane Reactors

Batch reactors containing catalytic membranes based on molecular asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts immobilized onto hybrid PVA / inorganic polymers were engineered and tested in the enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral substrates. All reactions were efficiently carried out in mild reaction conditions with ee's comparable to those of the corresponding homogeneous catalysts as well as minimal metal leaching upon reuse.