Alkynes nickel borides

Three new methods for the conversion of alkynes to (Z)-alkenes were reported, although Lindlar semi-hydrogenation still remains as the most convenient method. Copper (I) hydride reagent could reduce alkynes to (Z)-alkenes as shown in Scheme 3 [12]. Yoon employed nickel boride prepared on borohy-dride exchange resin for selective hydrogenation of alkynes to (Z)-alkenes (Scheme 4) [13]. 

A catalyst that permits hydrogenation of an alkyne to an alkene is the nickel boride compound called P-2 catalyst. 

Hydrogenation using Raney nickel is carried out under mild conditions and gives cis alkenes from internal alkynes in yields ranging from 50 to 100% [356, 357, 358, 359, 360]. Half hydrogenation of alkynes was also achieved over nickel prepared by reduction of nickel acetate with sodium borohydride (P-2 nickel, nickel boride) [349,361,362] or by reduction with sodium hydride [49], or by reduction of nickel bromide with potassium-graphite [363]. Other catalysts are palladium on charcoal [364], on barium sulfate [365, 366], on... 

Unsaturated aldehydes.4 A nickel boride catalyst similar to P-2 nickel boride is obtained by reaction of NiCl2 and excess NaBH4 in C2H5OH. It effects selective hydrogenation of a,P-alkynal acetals to the (Z)-a,p-alkenal acetals. 

Palladium catalysts, 230 of alkyl silyl ethers to alkanes Nickel boride, 197 of alkyl sulfonates to alkanes Lithium triethylborohydride, 153 of alkynes to cis-alkenes... 

Ni-Gr I.1 This nickel catalyst reduces disubstituted alkynes to cis-alkenes the stereoselectivity is comparable to that observed with Lindlar catalyst or nickel boride (3, 208 -210 5,471-472). 

Hydrogenation of an alkyne can be stopped at the alkene stage by using a poisoned (partially deactivated) catalyst made by treating a good catalyst with a compound that makes the catalyst less effective. Lindlar s catalyst is a poisoned palladium catalyst, composed of powdered barium sulfate coated with palladium, poisoned with quinoline. Nickel boride (Ni2B) is a newer alternative to Lindlar s catalyst that is more easily made and often gives better yields. 

In contrast to Lindlar catalyst we have found that the hydrogenation of an alkyne over ethylenediamine-poisoned "P-2" nickel boride or quinoline-poisoned palladium-on-barium sulfate always gives a minor amount of the saturated hydrocarbon in addition to the olefin. The ratio of saturated hydrocarbon to olefin (about 0.01) also is nearly constant throughout the hydrogenation until the alkyne is consumed, and then it increases. Further reaction of the alkene on the catalyst surface before desorption would explain these results. 

On balance, palladium offers the best combination of activity and selectivity at reasonable cost, and for these reasons has become the basis of the most successful commercial alkyne hydrogenation catalysts to date. Because of their inherently high activity, these catalysts contain typically less than 0.5 % (by weight) of active metal-to preserve selectivity at high alkyne conversion. Despite the prominence of these catalysts, other active metals are used in fine chemicals applications. Of particular utility is the nickel boride formulation formed by the action of sodium borohydride on nickel(II) acetate (or chloride). Reaction in 95 % aqueous ethanol solution yields the P2-Ni(B) catalyst and selectivity in alkyne semi-hydrogenation has been demonstrated in the reaction of 3-hexyne to form cw-3-hexene in 98 % yield [15,16] ... 

By reduction of alkynes with sodium in liquid ammonia, the trans-alkene will predominate. On the other hand, almost entirely cis-alkene (as high as 98%) is obtained by hydrogenation of alkynes with specially prepared palladium called Lindlar s catalyst or a nickel boride called P-2 catalyst. 

Nickel boride (P — 2) generated from nickel acetate and NaBH4 in ethanol exhibits notable selectivity in reduction depending on the substitution pattern of the alkene " ". Sodium borohydride with Co(II) has also proved to be of general utility for the reduction of various alkenes and alkynes (equation... 

A heterogeneous catalyst that permits hydrogenation of an alkyne to an alkene is the nickel boride compound called P-2 catalyst. The P-2 catalyst can be prepared by the reduction of nickel acetate with sodium borohydride ... 

Partial reduction of alkynes to Z-alkenes is another important application of selective hydrogenation catalysts. The transformation can be carried out under heterogeneous or homogeneous conditions. Among heterogeneous catalysts, the one which is most successful is Lindlars catalyst, which is a lead-modified palladium-CaC03 catalyst. A nickel-boride catalyst prepared by reduction of nickel salts with NaBILj is also useful. Rhodium catalysts have also been reported to show good selectivity. ... 

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