Partial hydrogenation of substituted pyridines and quinolines: a crucial role of the reaction conditions

Hydrogenation of pyridyl and quinolyl compounds 2-substituted with a carbonyl group (1a-c and 2b,c) using PtO₂ and 1 equiv. of HCl (conditions A) provides clean and total formation of the desired amino alcohol (hydrogenation of the heterocyclic ring and of the carbonyl) while under conditions B₁ and/or B₂ (concentrated HCl or pure CF₃CO₂H) the heterocyclic ring remains untouched and other aromatic parts are hydrogenated providing complex mixtures. When the heterocyclic ring is substituted by an alkyl group (quinaldine 3) conditions A provide mixtures while under conditions B₂ (pure CF₃CO₂H) the benzene ring is cleanly hydrogenated leading to a pure product.