Palladium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of organic substrates by hypophosphite in water containing a nonionic surfactant

Abstract

Palladium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of some organic substrates in water containing a nonionic surfactant was examined using sodium hypophosphite as a hydrogen source. Hydrogenation of organohalides such as polychloroarenes, alkenes, alkynes, nitro compounds, aromatic aldehydes, and O-benzyl and N-benzyl derivatives efficiently proceeded to give the corresponding reduction products. The addition of a nonionic surfactant, such as Tween 20, proved to be effective in obtaining satisfactory results in most cases.

Keywords:

• catalytic transfer hydrogenation
• nonionic surfactant
• aqueous media
• hypophosphite
• palladium

Acknowledgements

This work was partly supported by Tokai University and a Tokai University Supporters Association Research and Study Grant. The authors would like to thank Enago (www.enago.jp) for the English language review.