Selective hydrogenation of trans-cinnamaldehyde and hydrogenolysis-free hydrogenation of benzyl cinnamate in imidazolium ILs

trans-Cinnamaldehyde is selectively hydrogenated to hydrocinnamaldehyde using a commercially available palladium catalyst in novel imidazolium ILs. The selective hydrogenation extends to benzyl cinnamate, in which the ester is protected from hydrogenolysis under similar conditions.