Ionic Liquid-Supported Pt Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Enantioselective Hydrogenation

Ionic liquid (IL)-supported metal nanoparticles (NPs) are under scrutiny as novel heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. Here we present a simple strategy to extend the scope of these catalysts from chemoselective hydrogenation reactions to enantioselective hydrogenations. Pt nanoparticles with a mean size of 2-3 nm and narrow size distribution were obtained by stabilization with water-insoluble ILs or both an IL and cinchonidine (CD) as chiral costabilizer. High reaction rates and enantioselectivities were achieved in the hydrogenation of methyl benzoylformate (MBF). This simple synthesis protocol opens the door to catalysts based on IL-supported chiral Pt group metal NPs.