20090105481 | Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation of Prochiral Ketones and Aldehydes - Process for stereoselective hydrogenation by reacting racemic aldehydes or ketones having a stereogenic carbon atom in the position relative to the C(O) group and containing the structural element —(O)C—C—CH— by means of hydrogen in the presence of a base and a ruthenium complex containing a bidentate ligand having coordinating P and N atoms, a monophosphine ligand and anionic and/or uncharged ligands as homogeneous catalyst, with the charge being balanced by one or two monovalent acid anions or a divalent acid anion when uncharged ligands are present. | 04-23-2009 |