Asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-arylacrylic acids catalyzed by immobilized Rn-BINAP complex in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate molten salt

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(96)00485-5

The [RuCl₂-(S)-BINAP]₂.NEt₃ catalyst precursor dissolved in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate molten salt is able-to hydrogenate 2-arylacrylic acids (aryl=Ph or 6-MeO-naphthyl) with enantioselectivities similar or higher than those obtained in homogeneous media. Moreover, the hydrogenated products can be quantitatively separated from the reaction mixture and the recovered ionic liquid catalyst solution can be reused several times without any significant changes in the catalytic activity or selectivity.