A robust sulfur-tolerant form of palladium for hydrogenations

30 July 2004

Kobayashi and co-workers have reported* a new type of immobilised palladium - “PI Pd” (polymer incarcerated Pd) made from Pd(PPh3)4 and a styrene-based copolymer. It has excellent activity for the hydrogenation of alkenes, benzyl ethers, and nitro and aromatic compounds. It is also tolerant of harsh reaction conditions, including high pressure and high temperature, and can be recovered and reused several times without loss of activity. Notably, it is highly resistant to poisoning by sulfur.

* S. Kobayashi et al.,Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2004, 69, 2871.