Enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate over tartaric acid-NaBr-modified Raney nickel catalyst under a low hydrogen pressure

Abstract

The enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate was carried out over a (R,R)-tartaric acid-NaBr-modified Raney nickel catalyst under low hydrogen pressure. The rate of the supply of hydrogen on the catalyst surface would be an important factor for attaining high enantioselectivity, especially under low hydrogen pressure. A maximum enantioselectivity of 82% was attained under an initial hydrogen pressure of 0.2 MPa at 333 K with a high stirring rate.