Early Main‐Group Metal Catalysts for the Hydrogenation of Alkenes with H₂

Abstract

Transition-metal-free hydrogenation of alkenes can be carried out with simple organocalcium catalysts (20 bar H2, 20 °C). Both steps in the proposed catalytic cycle, hydride addition to the double bond and σ-bond metathesis with H2, have been confirmed. Alkenes sensitive to polymerization are also hydrogenated in good yields.