Selective Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Abstract

In order to effect selective hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds into unsaturated alcohols, the preparative methods of Raney type catalysts and the reaction conditions have been studied. The catalysts were prepared by leaching various Raney alloys in aqueous alkaline solutions containing a small amount of metal salts. The best results were obtained when a Raney-copper alloy and cadmium nitrate were used. In the presence of this catalyst, crotonaldehyde was converted to crotyl alcohol in a yield above 80%. Hydrogenation of other α, β-unsaturated compounds was also carried out and their reactivities were compared. © 1966, The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan. All rights reserved.