The hydrogenation of mandelonitrile over a Pd/C catalyst: towards a mechanistic understanding
Mairi I McAllister1, Cédric Boulho1, Liam McMillan1
1School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow Joseph Black Building Glasgow G12 8QQ UK David.Lennon@glasgow.ac.uk +44(0)-141-330-4372.
Abstract:
A carbon supported Pd catalyst is used in the liquid phase hydrogenation of the aromatic cyanohydrin mandelonitrile (C6H5CH(OH)CH2CN) to afford the primary amine phenethylamine (C6H5CH2CH2NH2). Employing a batch reactor, the desired primary amine is produced in 87% selectivity at reaction completion. Detection of the by-product 2-amino-1-phenylethanol (C6H5CH(OH)CH2NH2) accounts for the remaining 13% and closes the mass balance. The reaction mechanism is investigated, with a role for both hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes established.
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