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

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. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.