Selective reduction of alkenes, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, nitroarenes, nitroso compounds, N,N-hydrogenolysis of azo and hydrazo functions as well as simultaneous hydrodehalogenation and reduction of substituted aryl halides over PdMCM-41 catalyst under transfer hydrogen conditions

Chemoselective reductions of alkenes, alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, nitro and nitroso compounds, N,N-hydrogenolysis of azo and hydrazo functions as well as simultaneous reduction and hydrodehalogenation of substituted aryl halides, including bulkier substrates, were achieved by catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) using mesoporous PdMCM-41 catalyst. The yields were practically unaffected upon recycling of the catalyst. Further, the CTH process is accomplished without affecting the reduction of any other reducible functional group. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.