Chiral Ir(I) complex supported on external surface passivated SBA-15 as heterogeneous catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Chiral 9-amino epi -cinchonine was anchored on external surface passivated SBA-15 as well as calcined SBA-15. The two resulting materials were used as catalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones after complexing with [Ir(COD)Cl] 2 . Higher enantioselectivities were obtained over the passivated SBA-15 supported catalyst compared with the catalyst based on calcined SBA-15 as well as the homogeneous counterpart. Especially for the substrate of acetophenone, an obviously high enantiomeric excess (ee) of 74% (homogeneous ee: 60%) was achieved with comparable conversion to the homogeneous catalyst (97% vs. 98%). Furthermore, the passivated SBA-15 supported catalyst demonstrated higher stability during the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction as compared with the catalyst based on calcined SBA-15.