Silica-Supported Chiral Catalysts for Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

Developments of mesoporous silica materials for use as supports to construct silica-supported chiral heterogeneous catalysts and explorations of their applications in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation represent an important branch of organic chemistry, in which understanding the supports role and controlling chiral environment are critical during the catalytic process. In this review, we briefly introduce the basic concepts with respect to general immobilization strategies and preparation methods. Main considerations focus on the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts according to the type of mesoporous silica supports and summarize their applications in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. This paper also provides a perspective for further developing the design of silica-supported chiral heterogeneous catalysts. Keywords: Asymmetric catalysis, immobilization, mesoporous material, silica, supported catalyst.