Large Scale Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrogenation, an Industrial Perspective

Abstract

During the last two decades an increasing number of catalytic, enantioselective reactions have been developed.¹ Life science companies, which increasingly demand the preparation of enantiomerically pure products on large scale, have also fuelled the development of such methodologies with an emphasis on manufacturability.² Asymmetric hydrogenations of prochiral C=C, C=O and C=N double bonds, catalysed by chiral transition metal complexes are highly attractive and continue to be an efficient method for generating stereogenic centres in an enantioselective fashion.^1c Critical factors which determine the outcome of an enantioselective hydrogenation on large scale are outlined in Figure 1. The chemistry of specific examples from LONZA’s own experience with this technology is presented in this report.