technologies
Metal-Free Hydrogenation Catalysts
Inventor: Dr. Douglas W. Stephan
Institution: University of Toronto (via PARTEQ Innovations)
Hydrogenation of unsaturated organic molecules is among the most common and valuable of chemical transformations. These reactions are used for the production of large scale bulk chemicals as well for the synthesis of high value pharmaceutical and other fine chemicals. However, these reactions are typically done using catalysts that are not specific for targeted or chiral hydrogenations and are based on toxic and expensive metals.
This technology uses bulky Lewis-acid pairs, which can “activate” hydrogen and then reduce a wide variety of unsaturated organic molecules in a catalytic manner. This offers a unique solution for the elimination of toxic metal catalysts in hydrogenation reactions. In addition, the reagents can be used for hydrogenation of specific functional groups as well as chiral hydrogenations. The technology is being developed for a wide variety of important reactions and has been demonstrated for hydrogenation of olefins, imines, and other organic compounds produced in the bulk and fine chemical industries.
