A Perspective on the Homogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Olefins

The hydrogenation of functionalities in the carboxylic acid oxidation state can also be useful for small- or large-scale syntheses. For example, the hydrogenation of adiponitrile generates hexamethylenediamine that is one of the two monomers in the production of nylon. This reaction is conducted with a heterogeneous catalyst, but homogeneous catalysts for the reduction of nitriles to amines would be convenient for the conversion of nitriles to amines on a laboratory scale. The hydrogenation of esters to aldehydes would 

Selected Examples of Achiral Homogeneous Hydrogenation Cataiysts 

---