Asymmetric hydrogenation of acetoacetic ester on raney cobalt and copper catalysts modified with D-(+)-tartaric acid

Abstract

1. On Raney Cu and Co catalysts modified with D-(+)-tartaric acid acetoacetic ester is hydrogenated asymmetrically. 2. The optical yield of (-)-ethyl-3-hydroxybutyrate depends on the nature of the catalyst and the experimental conditions: on Cu catalyst the optical yield reaches 20–24% and is close to the optical yield obtained on modified Ni catalyst: on Co catalyst the optical yield is considerably less (2–8%). With increase in the quantity of catalyst the optical yield on these catalysts passes through a maximum.