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Hydrogenation

Isolating intermediates

Noyori-type catalysts and inorganic bases are frequently used together for homogeneous hydrogenation, but key intermediates have not yet been isolated. Now, the structure and reactivity of a long-postulated intermediate — the alkali metal amidate complex — have been reported through experimental and computational studies.

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Fig. 1: Catalytic cycles, X-ray structure of a key isolated intermediate and catalyst design relevant to the hydrogenation of ketones with Noyori-type catalysts in basic solutions.

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Correspondence to Pavel A. Dub.

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Dub, P.A. Isolating intermediates. Nat. Chem. 14, 1212–1213 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-01051-7

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