Palladium nanoparticles stabilized by alkylated polyethyleneimine as aqueous biphasic catalysts for the chemoselective stereocontrolled hydrogenation of alkenes

Palladium nanoparticles were prepared, stabilized, and dispersed in water by alkylated branched polyethyleneimine. The palladium nanoparticles were effective aqueous biphasic catalysts for the chemoselective hydrogenation of alkenes with preferential reduction of less hindered double bonds, such as reduction of 3-methylcyclohexene in the presence of 1-methylcyclohexene and 1-octene in the presence of 2-methyl-2-heptene.