Low temperature selective hydrodeoxygenation of model lignin monomers from a homogeneous palladium catalyst

The molecular, homogeneous catalysts [Pd(tpy)Cl]Cl and [Ni(tpy)](PF6)2, where tpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′- terpyridine, have been utilized to perform selective hydrodeoxygenation of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and benzophenone under very mild conditions. The [Pd(tpy)Cl]Cl catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity, with the complete selectivity towards hydrodeoxygenation, even at room temperature. Results indicate that the single-site nature of the...