Direct synthesis of 2-phenylethanol by hydrogenation of methyl phenylacetate using homogeneous ruthenium-phosphine catalysis under low hydrogen pressure

Nomura K; Ogura H; Imanishi Y

Journal of Molecular Catalysis A-Chemical, Vol.166, No.2, 345-349, 2001

DOI10.1016/S1381-1169(00)00476-3 Export Citation

Direct synthesis of 2-phenylethanol by hydrogenation of methyl phenylacetate using homogeneous ruthenium-phosphine catalysis under low hydrogen pressure

Nomura K, Ogura H, Imanishi Y

Methyl phenylacetate could be efficiently hydrogenated to yield 2-phenylethanol under lower hydrogen pressure (<10 atm) by using ruthenium-phosphine catalysis composed of Ru(acac)(3), P(n-C8H17)(3) in the presence of Zn. Effect of both phosphine and Zn plays an crucial role in order for this hydrogenation to proceed under mild conditions.

Keywords:hydrogenation of ester;ruthenium;homogeneous catalyst