Ru/ZIF-8 with a chiral modifier for asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone

A series of Ru/ZIF-8 (Zeolitic imidazolate framework) catalysts was prepared in the different impregnation solvents and characterized by ICP, XRD, TEM, and N2 adsorption. The obtained catalysts exhibited different catalytic performances in the presence of achiral modifier triphenylphosphine (TPP) and chiral modifier (1S,2S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine [(1S,2S)-DPEN] for asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Ethanol was found to be the most effective impregnation solvent, while low activity and enantioselectivity were observed for water. The prepared Ru/ZIF-8 catalyst was stable and could be reused at least five times without significant loss in activity and entantioselectivity.