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, α,β-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.