Reactions of Hydrogen with Organic Compounds over Copper-Chromium Oxide and Nickel Catalysts

Abstract

THE present volume deals with the development of high-pressure hydrogenation as a tool for use in synthetic organic chemistry and more particularly with the use of black copper-chromium oxide catalyst. Prof. Homer Adkins, his staff, and research students, have made this catalyst peculiarly their own: it is particularly suitable for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones to alcohols, of esters to alcohols, of amides to amines, but is notably inactive for the hydrogenation of the benzenoid nucleus, so that it may be used to hydrogenate aryl compounds without saturating the ring. The procedure for the preparation of this catalyst is given in detail, as also the details of the pressure apparatus and the method of operation. Reactions of Hydrogen with Organic Compounds over Copper-Chromium Oxide and Nickel Catalysts By Prof. Homer Adkins. Pp. ix + 178. (Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press, 1937.) 3 dollars.