PLATINUM-GROUP METALS AS HETEROGENEOUS ENANTIOSELECTIVE CATALYSTS

Enantioselective hydrogenation has been reviewed from the standpoint o f the chemistry of the metallic active phase. A comparative study is p resented of the behaviour of the platinum group metals as catalysts fo r pyruvate ester hydrogenation, and this is extended to embrace the hy drogenation of other functions as far as the literature permits. Atten tion is drawn to the operation of thermodynamic and kinetic factors in the determination of enantioselectivity, to the molecular complexitie s of the adlayer in which enantioselection is achieved, and to approac hes that might be made to advance our understanding of these systems.