The synthesis of a large number of fine chemicals, particularly in the field of flavor and fragrance chemistry [1,2] and pharmaceuticals [3], involves the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbonyl intermediates as a critical step. The hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls into saturated carbonyls is comparatively easy to achieve because thermodynamics favor the hydro-genation of the C═C bonds; therefore, research efforts were more directed at improving the selectivity to unsaturated alcohols. When a substituent is present on the carbon atom of the carbonyl group (i.e. with ketones), there is no chance to hydrogenate selectively the C═O bond, and saturated ketones are obtained with a high yield. This review is thus mostly restricted to the hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes into the corresponding unsaturated alcohols.

Selective Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Steam reforming and dehydrogenation of methanol: Difference in the catalytic functions of copper and group VIII metals

Promoters of metal catalysts play an essential role in the hydrogenation of unsaturated bonds, such as in carbonylic compounds. This promotion is a key to a high selectivity to unsaturated alcohols in hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Analysis of the information available in the literature on the adsorptions through the C—C and C—O groups, respectively, together with the information on the catalytic behaviour of the promoter-free and promoted catalysts, allows us to suggest a model of surfaces active in selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes.

On the role of promoters in hydrogenations on metals; α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones

Metal-support effects on the intramolecular selectivity of crotonaldehyde hydrogenation over platinum

An overview of the catalytic properties of intermetallic compounds has been made to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding (1) what intermetallic catalysts can do, (2) their fundamental roles in enhanced catalysis, and (3) their advantages over other inorganic materials. A number of chemical transformations using intermetallic catalysts have been surveyed and classified into three major divisions—hydrogenation/dehydrogenation, oxidation, and steam reforming and various subsections. The fundamental roles of intermetallic phases obtained from this survey were categorized into four types of effects: (a) electronic, (b) geometric, (c) steric, and (d) ordering effects. The unprecedented steric effects governed by the specific surface structures of intermetallic compounds highlight the unique capabilities of intermetallic materials. On the basis of this overview, we have concluded that intermetallic compounds have the following advantages for fine catalyst design: (i) control of the electronic structur...

Jean Jenck

Papers

High-pressure competitive hydrogenation of aldehydes, ketones, and olefins on copper chromite catalyst

High-pressure competitive hydrogenation of ketones on copper chromite catalyst

Hydrogénation catalytique sous pression: II. — Cyclohexanone sur « chromite de cuivre » (Cu — Cr — O)