Asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate using platinum carbonyl cluster supported on an anion exchanger as the catalyst

Anionic platinum carbonyl clusters supported on quaternary amine functional ized cross-linked polystyrene, i.e., anion exchangers, are effective precat alysts for the hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate to methyl lactate. Kinetic data has been obtained for anion exchangers with different quaternary group s. Highest observed rate constant and enantioselectivity are obtained with cinchonine funtionalized resin. The kinetic data also indicates saturation kinetics. The decarbonylated used catalyst could be recarbonylated to give a material spectroscopically (infrared) equivalent to freshly anchored clus ter.