asymmetric hydrogenation

Asymmetric hydrogenation is a chemical process that adds hydrogen to molecules in a way that creates only one form of a specific compound, rather than a mix of both possible forms. This is important in producing chiral molecules, which are like left and right hands and can behave differently in biological systems. By using special catalysts that favor one configuration over another, chemists can efficiently create pharmaceuticals and other products with the desired properties, enhancing effectiveness while reducing side effects. It’s a key technique in modern synthetic chemistry.