Development of highly chemoselective hydrogenation using novel palladium(0)-fibroin catalyst

Abstract

Silk-fibroin supported palladium catalyst (Pd/Fib) was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation with a rust-colored MeOH solution of Pd(OAc) 2. After the palladium (II) was absorbed completely in the fibroin, the zero-valent Pd was formed on the fibroin fiber via reduction by MeOH as a reductant. The Pd/Fib catalyst, black-colored yarn, shows efficient chemoselectivity in hydrogenation of acetylene, olefin and azide functionalities in the presence of aromatic ketones, aldehydes and halides, benzyl esters and N-Cbz protective groups which are readily reduced under the Pd/C or Pd/C (en)-catalyzed hydrogenation conditions.