Chiral α-hydroxy acid-coadsorbed TiO2 photocatalysts for asymmetric induction in hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

Abstract

Modification of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts with chiral reagents was evaluated by the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The strong adsorption of chiral mandelic acid (R)-MA on TiO₂ was confirmed by comparing the inhibition effect IR values. The enantioselectivities were affected by not only the chiral reagents but also the TiO₂ crystalline samples, suggesting that the interaction between aromatic ketones and MA on TiO₂ should depend on the surface structure and morphology of TiO₂ particles.