Regioselective hydrogenation of p-phenylphenol to p-cyclohexylphenol over Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent

Regioselective hydrogenation of p-phenyl phenol (p-PP) to p-cyclohexyl phenol (p-CP) was performed over 10 wt.% Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent. The selectivity of p-CP was up to 92.3% at 413 K under 3.5 MPa with 100% conversion of p-PP. The desired product could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by washing with aqueous NaOH following extraction by toluene. The reaction mechanism was discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.