Heterogeneous Asymmetric Hydrogenation of N-Heterocyclic Compounds: Hydrogenation of Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives

The preparation and application of heterogeneous chiral catalysts are described. Heterogeneous Pd, Ir and Ru catalysts were tested in the enantioselective hydrogenations of N-heterocyclic compounds, namely 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 1-methylene-2-ethoxycarbonyl-6,7-dimetoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline in the presence of optically pure cinchonidine, (S,S)- and (R,R)-Ts-DPEN ligands. Cinchonidine-modified metal catalysts exhibited low ee, whereas catalysts stabilized by triphenylphosphane and modified by (S,S)-Ts-DPEN afforded promising ee values (70–80 %). Immobilized Ru(II)-aminophosphane complexes were found to be active in these hydrogenations producing the corresponding tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in high optical purities (up to 97 %). The latter catalysts were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Recycling of these catalysts showed constant or increasing activities in racemic hydrogenation, whereas the presence of the chiral ligands led to leaching of the active species in the liquid phase.