Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation in Aqueous Media

Significance

A highly selective asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous media has been developed. The methodology involves a polyethyleneglycol-polystyrene-supported synthetic peptide catalyst with a terminal proline moiety. Specific characteristics of the catalyst are the hydrophobic polyleucine chain and a β-turn motif at the terminus, providing the specifically high catalytic activity in aqueous media. Products were obtained in yields of 53-76% and enantiomeric ratios of up to 98:2, respectively.