Enantioselective hydrogenation of α-ketoesters catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid stabilized Rh nanoparticles in ionic liquid.

The heterogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation of α-ketoesters catalyzed by rhodium nanoparticles (Rh NPs) in ionic liquid was studied with the stabilization and modification of cinchona alkaloids. TEM characterization showed that well-dispersed Rh NPs of about 1.96 nm were obtained in ionic liquid.