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Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

Catalysis

Catalysis

Catalysis influences the rate of chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. A catalyst speeds up a reaction, but it is not consumed during the process. The fundamental principle of catalysis is the ability of a catalyst to alter the reaction mechanism, often introducing a more efficient pathway than the uncatalyzed process.In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst participates directly in the reaction mechanism. It interacts with reactants to form...

Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Unlike the easy catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene double bond, hydrogenation of a benzene double bond under similar reaction conditions does not take place easily. For example, in the reduction of stilbene, the benzene ring remains unaffected while the alkene bond gets reduced. Hydrogenation of an alkene double bond is exothermic and a favorable process. In contrast, to hydrogenate the first unsaturated bond of benzene, an energy input is needed; that is, the process is endothermic. This is...

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Updated: May 31, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphos^Ph Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

Ester hydrogenation catalyzed by Ru-CNN pincer complexes.

Yunshan Sun¹, Christian Koehler, Runyu Tan

¹Davenport Chemical Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|June 23, 2011

Summary

New Ruthenium-Carbon-Nitrogen-Carbon (Ru-CNN) pincer catalysts efficiently convert esters into alcohols. These catalysts operate effectively under mild reaction conditions, offering a greener approach to chemical synthesis.

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The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

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Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction

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Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes

Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes

Published on: June 24, 2022

Area of Science:

Catalysis
Organometallic Chemistry
Green Chemistry

Background:

Ester hydrogenation is a crucial transformation in organic synthesis.
Developing efficient and selective catalysts for ester hydrogenation under mild conditions remains a significant challenge.
Ruthenium-based catalysts have shown promise but often require harsh conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To report novel Ruthenium-Carbon-Nitrogen-Carbon (Ru-CNN) pincer complexes as catalysts.
To investigate the efficacy of these Ru-CNN catalysts for ester hydrogenation.
To demonstrate the performance of these catalysts under mild reaction conditions.

Main Methods:

Synthesis and characterization of new Ru-CNN pincer complexes.
Evaluation of catalytic activity in ester hydrogenation reactions.
Optimization of reaction parameters such as temperature, pressure, and solvent.

Main Results:

The newly developed Ru-CNN pincer catalysts exhibit high activity for ester hydrogenation.
The reactions proceed efficiently under mild conditions (e.g., low temperature and pressure).
High yields and selectivity for the corresponding alcohols were achieved.

Conclusions:

Ru-CNN pincer complexes represent a new class of effective catalysts for ester hydrogenation.
Mild reaction conditions minimize energy consumption and waste generation.
These findings contribute to the development of sustainable catalytic processes.