The catalyst is now commercially available and will be launched out in August, 2011.

Fine chemicals division at Takasago International Corp developed highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts for producing chiral alcohold, "RUCY^TM catalysts ; Ruthenabicycle catalysts".

1. Purpose

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation has been recognized as a key technology for manufacturing chiral pharmaceuticals, fragrances and agricultural chemicals.

The conventional catalyst RuCl₂(diphosphine)(diamine) has been widely used in chemical industries to manufacture chiral alcohols. However, chemical industries have been waiting for new high performance catalysts exceeding conventional catalysts which will enable to reduce energy cost, catalyst loading and residual ruthenium metal in product.

While Takasago has been improving existing technologies and developing products using RuCl₂(diphosphine)(diamine) system, Takasago has been also working on development of such new high performance catalysts.

As the result of our enthusiasm to develop new catalysts, the new higher performance catalyst exceeding the conventional systems was finally developed and commercialized.

Now, we would like to announce that the catalysts are now commercially available.

2. Outline

Development of highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts for producing chiral alcohols, "RUCY^TM".

a) Significant reduction of reaction time -
TOF (Turnover Frequency) will be achieved to max. 35,000, which directly affect production time and energy cost.

b) Significant reduction of catalyst loading -
Catalyst loading will be cut down to maximum 1/9, which will reduce catalyst cost and quantity of residual ruthenium in product.

c) Higher enantioselectivity and wider range of applicable substrates than conventional catalysts  -
The new catalyst will open doors to substrates which conventional catalysts could not be used.

Commercialization of RUCY^TM-XylBINAP is completed and will be launched into market in August.

The results of RUCY^TM catalysts were co-published with Prof. Ohkuma ( Hokkaido University ) on electric version of Journal of the American Chemical Society (DOI: 10.1021/ja202296w).

Resume of of RUCY^TM (PDF)