Insight into the mechanism of hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols catalyzed by a heterogeneous MoO(x) -modified Rh catalyst.

Hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols is a promising utilization of natural amino acids. We found that MoOx -modified Rh/SiO2 (Rh-MoOx /SiO2 ) is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the reaction at low temperature (323 K) and the addition of a small amount of MoOx drastically increases the activity and selectivity. Here, we report the catalytic potential of Rh-MoOx /SiO2 and the results of kinetic and spectroscopic studies to elucidate the reaction mechanism of Rh-MoOx /SiO2 catalyzed hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols. Rh-MoOx /SiO2 is superior to previously reported catalysts in terms of activity and substrate scope. This reaction proceeds by direct formation of an aldehyde intermediate from the carboxylic acid moiety, which is different from the reported reaction mechanism. This mechanism can be attributed to the reactive hydride species and substrate adsorption caused by MoOx modification of Rh metal, which results in high activity, selectivity, and enantioselectivity.

Combination of supported bimetallic rhodium-molybdenum catalyst and cerium oxide for hydrogenation of amide.

Hydrogenation of cyclohexanecarboxamide to aminomethylcyclohexane was conducted with silica-supported bimetallic catalysts composed of noble metal and group 6-7 elements. The combination of rhodium and molybdenum with molar ratio of 1:1 showed the highest activity. The effect of addition of various metal oxides was investigated on the catalysis of Rh-MoO x /SiO2, and the addition of CeO2 much increased the activity and selectivity. Higher hydrogen pressure and higher reaction temperature in the tested range of 2-8 MPa and 393-433 K, respectively, were favorable in view of both activity and selectivity. The highest yield of aminomethylcyclohexane obtained over Rh-MoO x /SiO2 + CeO2 was 63%. The effect of CeO2 addition was highest when CeO2 was not calcined, and CeO2 calcined at >773 K showed a smaller effect. The use of CeO2 as a support rather decreased the activity in comparison with Rh-MoO x /SiO2. The weakly-basic nature of CeO2 additive can affect the surface structure of Rh-MoO x /SiO2, i.e. reducing the ratio of Mo-OH/Mo-O- sites.

Catalytic hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols with complete retention of configuration.

Rh-MoOx/SiO2 is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for selective hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols in a water solvent. MoOx modification of Rh drastically enhanced the activity and improved the selectivity and ee. Various amino alcohols were obtained in high yields (90-94%) with complete retention of configuration.