Additive-free cobalt-catalysed hydrogenation of carbonates to methanol and alcohols

Reduction of various organic carbonates to methanol and alcohols can be achieved in the presence of a molecularly-defined homogeneous cobalt catalyst. Specifically, the use of Co(BF4)(2) in combination with either commercial or tailor-made tridentate phosphine ligands allows for additive-free hydrogenations of carbonates. Optimal results are obtained at relatively mild conditions (120 degrees C, 50 bar hydrogen pressure) in the presence of xylyl-Triphos L4.