Graphene oxide based chiral diamine rhodium catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Functional graphite oxide materials were synthesized through the Hummers chemical oxidation of graphite.Heterogeneous catalyst was prepared via direct grafting diamine-based chiral ligand to graphite oxide followed by the complexation with organorhodium complex.Such a chiral rhodium catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in aqueous medium under mild condition.