Reduction of benzylideneacetone derivatives with Pd/SiO2–AlPO4 as catalyst and cyclohexene as hydrogen donor

Abstract

The hydrogen transfer reduction of benzylideneacetone derivatives p-X-C6H4—CH=CH—CO—R (X = —OCH3, H; R = C6H5, alkyl, OR, OH) using cyclohexene as hydrogen donor has been studied. The selective reduction of the C=C bond is observed and the effects of the nature of X and R, solvent, catalyst, and reaction temperature on the initial reaction rate are analyzed. In all cases, and for any substrate or catalyst, the reaction is first-order with respect to the hydrogen donor and acceptor.