Asymmetric hydrogenation of the C=O bond with the recycling of an organometal catalyst deposited on a solid organic polyelectrolyte

The asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl levulinate to chiral γ-valerolactone has been performed with the recycling of a Ru^II–BINAP catalyst deposited on a solid organic polyelectrolyte; enantioselectivity up to 99% ee has been achieved at high conversion of substrate after three recycles of the catalyst.