Immobilization of a Modified Tethered Rhodium(III)-p-Toluenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine Catalyst on Soluble and Solid Polymeric Supports and Successful Application to Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

Catalyst immobilization through covalent attachment onto a support is one strategy to provide recyclable systems. Here, soluble and surface-functionalized solid polymers were used as supports for a modified tethered rhodium(III)-p-toluenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine [Rh(III)-TsDPEN] complex. The supported catalysts were applied to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of phenyl ketones in aqueous solution of sodium formate. High ee values (up to 99%) and good activities were achieved. It was discovered that the solid polymer-supported catalyst could be recycled at least four times without a significant decrease of the activity when a mixture of sodium formate and formic acid was used as the hydrogen source. This catalytic system provides a promising approach towards an ecologically and economically rational production of enantioenriched building blocks.