In situ generation of hydrogen for continuous hydrogenation reactions in high temperature water

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of HCO2H or preferably, HCO2X (X = Na or NH4) can be used to generate H2 for the continuous hydrogenation of aromatic and cyclic aldehydes, ketones and nitroaromatics in high temperature pressurised water (HTPW). This means that hydrogenation reactions can be carried out in exactly the same equipment as has previously been used for selective oxidation in HTPW, thus facilitating relatively simple application of these reactions for non-specialists.