Transfer hydrogenation using recyclable polyurea-encapsulated palladium: efficient and chemoselective reduction of aryl ketones

A robust and recyclable palladium catalyst [Pd(0)EnCat] has been prepared by ligand exchange of polyurea-encapsulated palladium(II) acetate with formic acid, resulting in deposition of Pd(0) in the support material; Pd(0)EnCat is shown to be a highly efficient transfer hydrogenation catalyst for chemoselective reduction of a wide range of aryl ketones to benzyl alcohols.