ENANTIO-DIFFERENTIATING HYDROGENATION OF PROCHIRAL KETONES OVER MODIFIED NICKEL

This article reviews the enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of proc hiral ketones over a asymmetrically modified catalyst, focusing on the hydrogenation of simple prochiral alkanones. The parameters affecting catalytic activity and enantio-differentiating ability are considerab le in number, and each parameter should be optimized in order to attai n a highperformance enantio-differentiating catalyst. Optimization of the parameters and the mode of enantio-differentiation are discussed a nd compared with the enantio-differentiating hydrogenation of beta-ket oesters.