Reductive transamination of methoxyacetone with benzylamine over Pd/SiO2 catalyst modified with anchored chiral compounds

Methoxyacetone was transaminated with benzylamine to methoxyisopropylamine over a Pd/SiO2 catalyst modified with L-alaninol or L-phenylalaninol covale ntly anchored to the surface of the support via an organo-silicon spacer gr oup. In the first step of transamination a Schiff base was formed from the ketone and benzylamine, and then it was hydrogenated in the second step on the chirally modified Pd/SiO2 catalysts to an asymmetric secondary amine (N -benzyl-methoxyisopropylamine). In the third step the hydrogenolysis of the asymmetric secondary amine resulting in methoxyisopropylamine and toluene was carried out over a 10 wt% Pd/C catalyst. The highest enantiomeric exces s of (S)-methoxyisopropylamine was observed in cyclohexane (ee = -20-21%) u sing anchored L-alaninol as a chiral modifier.