Event

Inquiries please contact Camille Pride at campride@sas.upenn.edu

Title: Advances in Asymmetric Hydrogenation:  From Innovative Ligands to Commercial Manufacture

Abstract:

Dr. William Knowles, in his 2001 Nobel Lecture, describes his 1960s and 70s work in developing asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts.  Now, 45 years later after the first commercial application of asymmetric catalysis, although major advances have been made (e.g.; Professor Noyori’s Nobel prize winning work in asymmetric hydrogenation), significant challenges remain.  This presentation describes innovation in asymmetric hydrogenation catalysis from both an academic and industrial perspective.  Having invented a catalyst that addresses an unmet need in asymmetric hydrogenation, many challenges remain before the catalyst provides an economic return.  The knowledge gained and shortcomings recognized during scale-up and commercialization can lead to greatly improved ‘next generation’ catalysts.

This presentation highlights recent advances in our labs and the commercialization of many chiral phosphine ligands by Chiral Quest, Inc.  The broad array of our catalysts and their numerous applications for a variety of functional group hydrogenations will be reviewed.  The emphasis will be on the practical application of asymmetric hydrogenation to chiral synthesis.