Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenolysis of 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol with Pd/C and Formic Acid

Abstract:

The catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of 2-phenyl-2-propanol was studied over Pd/C catalyst, using formic acid and formate salts as hydrogen donors. The Pd/C catalyst was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), N₂ adsorption/desorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of hydrogen donor, molar ratio of formic acid to 2-phenyl-2-propanol and water content were evaluated. Under mild reaction conditions (80 °C, 2h), 2-phenyl-2-propanol can be hydrogenolyzed to isopropylbenzene with very high selectivity (96.5%) and high conversion (92.8%) in the presence of Pd/C and formic acid. From the viewpoint of environmental friendly principles, this study may open the way to a new approach for the production of propylene oxide.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 287-290)
• Pages: 1749-1752
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.287-290.1749
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: Jian Feng, Wei Xiong, Yun Jia, Jin Bo Wang, De Rong Liu, Rui Xiang Qin
• Keywords: 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol, Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenolysis, Formic Acid, Palladium, Propylene Oxide

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