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Synthesis 2002(11): 1607-1610
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33349
SPECIALTOPIC
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Transfer Hydrogenation in Ionic Liquids under Microwave Irradiation

Herwig Bertholda,b, Theo Schotten*a, Helmut Hönigb
a Lilly Forschung GmbH, 22419 Hamburg, Germany (a Division of Eli Lilly Research Laboratories)
Fax: +49(40)52724614; e-Mail: berthold_herwig@lilly.com ; e-Mail: schotten_theo@lilly.com;
b Technical University Graz, Institute for Organic Chemistry, Stremayrgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
Fax: +43(316)8738740; e-Mail: berthold@sbox.tu-graz.ac.at; helmut.hoenig@TUGraz.at;
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Publication History

Received 7 June 2002
Publication Date:
23 August 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of different homo- or heteronuclear organic compounds was performed in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) N-butyl-N′-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, ([BMIM]+ [PF6]-) (1) as solvent heated by microwave irridiation. Formate salts such as ammonium formate and triethylammonium formate were used as a hydrogen source in the reaction catalyzed by palladium on carbon. Essentially pure products could be isolated in moderate to excellent yields by simple liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Recycling of the catalyst/solvent system was possible.

Key words

microwaves - room temperature ionic liquid - catalytic transfer hydrogenation - unsaturated compounds - formate salts