Modified nickel catalysts and enantioselective hydrogenation

Enantioselective hydrogenation can be applied to preparation of a host of v aluable bioactive compounds. The synthesis of optically pure chiral substan ces has recently become an important and indispensable component of chemica l procedures, in particular in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemi cals and fragrant and flavouring substances. The data in literature reveal that the application of suitably modified catalysts opens a new, as yet une xplored field of enantioselective heterogeneous hydrogenation. The promisin g catalysts of this type include nickel modified with various optically act ive compounds. This review describes main aspects of operating modified nic kel catalysts. The way of adsorption of the modifier and of the substrate i s discussed in more detail as well as the mechanism of enantioselective hyd rogenation.