Preparation of Pt/SWNTs for heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate

Abstract In order to be applied in heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation, a series of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs)-supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts with different controlled Pt loadings, i.e. 5%, 10% and 20%, were prepared, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). By modification with (−)-cinchonidine (Cd), these Pt/SWNTs catalysts were found to be efficient for the asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate, providing ( R )-ethyl lactate in high activity and moderate enantioselectivity. Kinetic study showed that the Pt/SWNTs-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate was a “ligand-accelerated” reaction.