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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...

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.

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...

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.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between atoms that have formed other chemical bonds. One of these atoms is electronegative, like oxygen, and has a partial negative charge. The other is a hydrogen atom that has bonded with another electronegative atom and has a partial positive charge.
Hydrogen Bonds Control the World!
Because hydrogen has very weak electronegativity when it binds with a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, electrons in the bond are unequally shared....

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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

Published on: March 10, 2023

eHydrogenation: Hydrogen-free Electrochemical Hydrogenation.

Camilla Russo^1,2, Matthew C Leech¹, Jamie M Walsh¹

¹School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|August 4, 2023

Summary

This study introduces a novel, practical electrochemical method for reducing various chemical groups without using hydrogen gas or toxic catalysts. This efficient and high-yielding approach offers a greener alternative for synthesis and deuterium labeling applications.

Keywords:

Anodic Oxidation Deuteration Diimide Reduction Electrochemistry Hydrogenation

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Area of Science:

Organic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Green Chemistry

Background:

Hydrogenation reactions are crucial in synthesizing pharmaceuticals, natural products, and materials.
Traditional hydrogenation often relies on toxic, costly catalysts and harsh conditions, limiting practicality and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel, hydrogen-free electrochemical method for organic reductions.
To provide a general, practical, efficient, mild, and high-yielding alternative to conventional hydrogenation.

Main Methods:

Electrochemical reduction of alkenes, alkynes, nitro, and azido groups.
A hydrogen-free reaction system was employed.

Main Results:

The developed method demonstrated high yields and efficiency for various functional group reductions.
The process is practical, mild, and avoids toxic catalysts.
The method was successfully applied to deuterium labeling.

Conclusions:

A new, versatile, and sustainable electrochemical method for reduction reactions has been established.
This approach offers significant advantages over traditional catalytic hydrogenation in terms of safety, cost, and environmental impact.
The method's applicability in deuterium labeling opens new avenues for isotopic synthesis.