Asymmetric hydrogenation of alkenes

Patent Pending Asymmetric hydrogenation is a chemical reaction that adds two atoms of hydrogen preferentially to one of two faces of an unsaturated substrate molecule, such as an alkene or ketone. The selectivity derives from the manner that the substrate binds to the chiral catalysts. In jargon, this binding transmits spatial information (what chemists refer to as chirality) from the catalyst to the target, favoring the product as a single enantiomer. This enzyme-like selectivity is particularly applied to bioactive products such as pharmaceutical agents and agrochemicals.