Palladium-based bimetallic catalysts for highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes using ex situ generated hydrogen

Semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is an important and fundamental reaction in many industrial and synthetic applications and often suffers low selectivity because of the overhydrogenation. Here, highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes is achieved by using H-2 ex situ generated from formic acid dehydrogenation with palladium (Pd)-based bimetallic catalysts through a two-chamber reactor in this work, realizing efficient utilization of H-2 and selective production of alkenes under mild reaction conditions. The Pd-based bimetallic catalysts show excellent catalytic performances for semihydrogenation of alkynes (PdZn bimetallic catalyst) and dehydrogenation of formic acid (PdAg bimetallic catalyst) in the two-chamber reactor. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes can be achieved using bimetallic palladium catalysts in a two-chamber reactor, efficiently utilizing H-2 and selectively producing alkenes under mild reaction conditions. The Pd-based bimetallic catalysts show excellent catalytic performances for semihydrogenation of alkynes and dehydrogenation of formic acid in the two-chamber reactor.