Low metal loading Ru-MCM-41 stereocontrolled hydrogenation of prostaglandin intermediates

Abstract

Low metal loading Ru-MCM-41 (0.134 and 0.667 wt% Ru) have been prepared by adsorption of ruthenocene from a diethyl ether solution, calcination and reduction under flowing hydrogen at 350 °C; the physical characteristion by a combination of several techniques has shown that Ru is homogeneously distributed inside the MCM pores, and that it is only partially reduced; these catalysts exhibit a very high diastereoselectivity in hydrogenation of an F prostaglandin intermediate leading only to the 11S,15R diastereomer.