Hydrogenation of alkynes with a palladium anchored polystyrene catalyst

Treating chloromethylated polystyrene beads with anthranilic acid and then palladium chloride gives a material capable of catalyzing the cis-hydrogenation of alkynes. Hydrogenation of phenylacetylene (10mmol) with 0.017 g-atom (based on Pd) of catalyst at room temperature and 30 psig for 7.3 h resulted in 82 % styrene and 14% ethylbenzene. Methylphenylacetylene was converted to cis-1-phenylpropene (60%) and n-propylbenzene (17 %). Several other alkynes were also converted to cis alkenes. The catalyst is less selective than the Lindlar catalyst, but is air stable and stores well.